In many previous posts we’ve discussed some of the complications that can arise following a divorce, specifically property division. Especially for couples who have been married for a long time, there are a lot of things like cars, homes, and investments that are subject to division.
Some couples choose to sign a prenuptial agreement in order to ensure that in the event of a divorce they know what assets they will be walking away with. But for one famous couple, a prenuptial agreement that the two signed when they got married may not be upheld by the court.
The decision between California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver to separate became national news earlier this month. The decision came out of the discovery that Schwarzenegger had an affair with the couple’s maid and that a child came out of that affair.
But in addition to the emotions that have surfaced, the couple also has to consider what will happen to their multi-million dollar estate. The couple is reportedly worth somewhere between $200 million and $400 million dollars. And though the couple signed a prenuptial agreement, the agreement may no longer hold up in court.
It appears that since the couple had been married for 25 years and the split was the result of unfaithfulness, the couple’s net worth could be split in half rather than according to the prenuptial agreement. If this is the case, Shriver could walk away with anywhere between $100 million to $200 million.
Even though most couples are not faced with dividing hundreds of millions of dollars, property division can still be a complicated process. It often helps to speak with someone who understands the ins and outs of property division. This can help ensure that the outcome is the best for both sides.
Source: Fox News online, “Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s Divorce Could Be One of the Most Expensive Ever, Report Says,” 23 May 2011
