What Can We Learn from Ugly Celebrity Divorce Cases?

By Sheryl Rentz on July 8, 2017

Marriage is a beautiful thing—what’s not to love about love? It’s a sacred vow…but sometimes marriage doesn’t end beautifully. Divorce isn’t all that uncommon. It can be a major pain in many ways, emotionally, financially, etc. Unfortunately, it can get really ugly, really fast.

That’s why celebrity divorce stories are so interesting. Even with more extravagant lives, celebrities face the same legal troubles that we do.

Dividing Assets

When a marriage comes to an end, the spouses must decide who gets what. This can get pretty complicated, especially when big numbers are involved. It should be possible to have a clean, equal split, but what happens when one half of the couple thinks he or she deserves more?

In the case of Hunter and Kathleen Biden, Kathleen asked for a court order that would stop Hunter from “wasting their assets.” According to Kathleen’s lawyer, Hunter created financial concerns over his extravagant and illicit interests, which included drugs, alcohol, and strip clubs. The lawyer alleged that these behaviors left the rest of the family with limited resources to pay the bills.

Dividing Debts

Just as assets are divided, debts must be divided too. While some debts must be shared, others may not be, especially in cases where one spouse has been secretive about the money he’s spending.

In the case of Hunter and Kathleen, Kathleen’s lawyer stated that their debts are shocking and overwhelming. The debts include maxed-out credit cards, double mortgages on two homes, and a tax bill of $313,000.

Taxes add more complications. Who gets the exemptions? Who is getting the greater amount? A good attorney is needed to ensure fairness, especially in a high-asset divorce.

Child Custody

Kathleen Biden sought full custody of her and Hunter’s youngest daughter. Custody is rarely a “black and white” issue; for example, the Pennsylvania family courts will always try to maintain a relationship between the child and both parents. But these shades of grey can tangle the “web” of a divorce case even more.

In a situation like this, an experienced divorce attorney is needed. An expert in high-asset divorce, the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., can help seek fairness in an otherwise ugly case. If you need help in a divorce case, contact us today at (610) 645-0100 for a free initial consultation.