Rosie O’Donnell Learns After Previous Messy Divorce Tries to Keep Latest One Clean
By Steve Bardol on April 23rd, 2015 in blog, Divorce
Nothing leads to a bigger divorce mess than a household celebrity name and multimillions at stake. Rosie O’Donnell thought she learned her lesson back in 2009 with a divorce battle that raged on, got ugly quickly, and led to her forking over a big chunk of change and creating stress for her four children with her ex-spouse.
This experience made Rosie realize that she had to plan for the worst but hope for the best. Her next civil union involved a very specific prenuptial agreement that, while not publicly detailed, focused on minimizing the mess she had previously experienced.
Pre-Nups Protect
It’s understandable that no one wants to plan for the end of their marriage before they even begin it, but a prenuptial agreement should not be viewed like that. If anything, a prenuptial agreement is a way to ensure that all aspects of one’s life are in order and agreements between spouses are made prior to the union so that there are no questions or disagreements later on.
This includes everything from delineating assets brought into the marriage and those accumulated while together. A prenuptial agreement can also address other aspects of a relationship, including children (biological or adopted), pets, and anything else that could turn into a fight later on if paradise is lost. This way, the couple can enter into wedded bliss and hopefully stay that way.
With someone as wealthy as Rosie, there are multiple bank accounts, residences, and other personal property that must be protected, especially if she has been the primary breadwinner in the relationship.
Issues that Arise after a Pre-Nup
While her soon-to-be ex may not be concerned with the four children Rosie had previously, there are decisions that have to be made about their two-year-old adopted child. Because the child entered into the picture after the prenuptial agreement, this is the one area that could become messy in this celebrity divorce.
Issues that may arise include custody and child support of their two-year old daughter. Depending on what her ex may want, there could be a play for a significant amount of money and, to get that money, there may be a request for sole custody. The more custody a person has, the more likely they are to ask – and get – greater financial support. Rosie may even have to face a fight over the pre-nuptial agreement in order to go after more money.
One caveat to this divorce and pre-nup is the public acknowledgment that the pre-nup that was signed by her ex did state that, if she ever cheated on Rosie, she would receive nothing. Interesting here is how Rosie would be able to prove that in order to make that aspect of the pre-nup stand or if her ex could somehow circumvent that clause.
One thing is for sure: Rosie has turned to a seasoned legal team to provide her with guidance throughout. They have most likely already looked at the potential risks she may face to her assets and family unit and are providing a strategy to protect her while ensuring that everyone involved receives their fair share.
