Celebrity Divorces and Separations: Schwarzenegger and Shriver

[Photo from Wikipedia]

According to various news reports, Maria Shriver has finally filed for divorce this week from former California Governor, and actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Of course, we do not need to repeat here again all the salacious information "out there" about the former governor's adultery and love child.  I am sure you are already familiar with it.  This divorce filing appears only to be the latest stage in this ongoing celebrity separation and divorce saga.

One interesting new aspect of this case involves news reports that Ms. Shriver may be entitled, under California law, to an estimated $200 million from the marital estate.  Of course, no doubt, both Schwarzenegger and Shriver will have good divorce lawyers to resolve such issues.  And we can all be confident that divorce attorneys for each side will ensure that neither party will miss a meal after the divorce is final!
The State of Georgia, unlike California, is not a community property state.  However, in Georgia divorces, generally, Georgia judges will nonetheless attempt to equitably divide marital property, if the parties cannot resolve it.

Here's hoping that the former governor and Maria Shriver, and their divorce lawyers, will be able to amicably resolve all the remaining issues in their divorce.

Celebrity Divorces and Separations: Schwarzenegger and Shriver

[Photo from Wikipedia]

Just when we thought the Arnold Schwarzenegger adultery and separation saga had exhausted all its twists and turns, now, we hear reports that the former governor's housekeeper has agreed to an interview and reportedly discussed details of their relationship with the media.  The housekeeper, identified in various reports as Patricia Baena, has even described how she allegedly broke the news of the affair to Maria Shriver.  Also, photographs of the alleged love child are now reportedly circulating throughout the news media and internet.  Where and when will it all end?

Doesn't it sometimes seem to you that news stories, like this one, and like the story involving Congressman Anthony Weiner, often develop a life of their own?  And it appears that some in the news media keep fanning the flames.  In other words, doesn't it appear that the news media will sometimes keep such salacious news stories alive with a constant daily drip of "new" information, so that they can simply sell more rags and generate high ratings?

The media frenzy also makes it much more difficult for celebrities than others who go through separation and divorce.  Don't you agree?  

Hollywood's Most Shocking Breakups

[Photo from TVGN]

I am not in the habit of promoting television programs in this blog.  As you know, we are Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers who primarily offer practical child custody, alimony, and other divorce-related tips for you to discuss with your own divorce attorney. 

But we also offer discussions about celebrity divorces in the news, too.  Recently, for example, we have discussed, along with many others, the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver separation. 

Today, as I browsed through the T.V. Guide listings, I ran across a listing for an interesting looking t.v. program which will run tonight on the TVGN network.  The program focuses on twenty-five of Hollywood's "most shocking breakups," from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, to Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. 

I don't know about you, but for me, an Augusta Georgia divorce attorney, that's what I call "must-see t.v.!"  Which celebrity couple divorces or split-ups would make your top 10, or top 25, lists?

Celebrity Divorces and Separations: Schwarzenegger and Shriver

[Photo from Wikipedia]

Yesterday, according to various news reports, a representative for former Governor Arnold Scwarzenegger announced that the actor and former governor will delay his film career comeback.  Apparently, he is simply temporarily putting his acting career on hold while he deals with troubles associated with his separation from Maria Shriver, his wife of 25 years.  At the same time, various news reports further indicate that Ms. Shriver has reportedly hired a California divorce attorney.

Who knows what might happen next in that ongoing salacious celebrity saga.  But let's lay aside the specific facts of that situation and talk a little bit about similar issues confronted by other "regular folks" going through a divorce or separation.

Mr. Schwarzenegger's delay of his movie career illustrates a problem common to many separating or divorcing couples.  Don't you agree that it would be tough -- both emotionally and time-wise -- for anyone to attempt to deal with a separation or divorce, while also attempting to juggle job pressures and deadlines?  Just imagine how tough it would be for you to have to go to work every day, while also dealing with child custody and visitation issues, along with financial pressures common to most divorces?  But the point is that, generally, most "regular folks" have no choice.  They must deal with both -- the pressures of their split-up and their job pressures.  Most folks cannot put their day jobs on hold. 

So, arguably, while no separation or divorce is easy, at least the former governor can afford to take some time off while he confronts his personal life's challenges.  That is good for him.  But that is a luxury that many divorcing couples simply cannot afford.  What do you think?

Biggest Celebrity Divorces and Separations: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver

[Photo from Wikipedia]

Wow!  Just when you thought things were bad enough for former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, we now hear the news reports today in which Schwarzenegger reportedly acknowledges a past alleged relationship with a former household staff member and that this relationship produced a love child a decade ago!  You will recall that, earlier, this past week, the former governor and his wife of 25 years, Maria Shriver, had publicly announced their separation.  Thereafter, we have now heard this stunning revelation today about the alleged cause of the celebrity couple's split.

Hopefully, the paparazzi will honor requests made by both Schwarzenegger and Shriver for privacy for her and the couple's four children.  Of course, we can also hope that the media will also leave alone the former staff member and her child, too.  But we won't hold our collective breaths, will we?

As we have seen before, it is bad enough when things like this occur in the marriage of any average citizen.  And adultery, infidelity, cheating, "fooling around," or whatever you want to call it, do occur "out there," don't they?  But perhaps the public scrutiny and, in particular, the relentless probing by the paparazzi, often only compound the problems in celebrity marriages.  In many respects, this is a sad situation with complicated issues.  Hopefully, the parties involved will be able to address the tough issues involved, as best they can.  Don't you agree?

Biggest Celebrity Divorces and Separations: From Tiger Woods to Arnold Schwarzenegger



[Photo from Wikipedia]

As you know, this blog primarily focuses on practical divorce tips and information about divorce which you should discuss with your own divorce lawyer.  We are The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC -- father and son divorce attorneys -- located in Augusta, Georgia.  But in this blog, we also try to "jazz it up" a bit by discussing issues presented by various celebrity divorces and separations which might also help you with issues in your own divorce.

Another common thread or theme which runs thoughout this divorce, or family law, blog concerns the fact that Hollywood puts a lot of stress on celebrity marriages.  This has always been true, don't you agree?  And it is equally true that Hollywood is always producing bigger and bigger divorce cases!

Just look at some of the high profile celebrity divorce and/or separation cases we have witnessed in the past year alone!  For instance, in the past year, we have seen, among others, the divorces of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, and Sandra Bullock and Jesse James, along with the separations of Larry King, Courtney Cox, Elizabeth Hurley, and many other celebrities.  And now, according to news reports, (and as we discussed yesterday), we are apparently witnessing the separation of actor and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. 

Which recent celebrity divorce or separation, in your opinion, has attracted the most attention?  Which recent celebrity divorce or separation surprized you the most?

In conclusion, it appears that some things in life just never change: death, taxes, celebrity divorces, and blogs about family law and celebrity divorces!