Family Law Updates

We already know celebrities are nothing like us. They have homes all over the world, travel to exotic lands for a weekend getaway, and have other perks that go along with celebrity status. . At least, that is the perception we have. However, when push comes to shove, celebrities still have problems similar to the ones we all face. Unfortunately, they do not get to enjoy the privacy afforded to the average person when going through these issues. Look at the example of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their six children. They are dealing with not only a very public divorce, but also a contentious custody agreements and charges related to child abuse and substance abuse. Take a look at the facts of this case and you will see how this is not very different than what any family could go through – celebrity or not.

The Biggest Issue

In the case of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the biggest issue is the children. As of last week, the courts approved a custody agreement between the parties. This can be changed upon Pitt’s petition to the court. However, unless that occurs, the agreement must be followed. According to the agreement, there are supervised visitations, continued drug and alcohol screenings, and mandated therapy for the children.

You may ask: how does this relate to a Minnesota custody agreement? For starters, each state may have differences regarding issues of child custody and abuse. However, this custody agreement was stipulated by agreements between both parties through the mediation process. What we can learn here is the importance of mediation for securing agreements between parties prior to court hearings. In this case, the parties went through a mediator to make this process less traumatic for themselves and their children. The court approved an agreement set forth by the couple through mediation and was not forced to mandate any added restrictions or stipulations.  While it must be approved by the court, this type of agreement is considered voluntary.

Division of Property

The issue that has not yet been addressed in this matter is the division of property. The reason for this is that both Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have what appears to be an “ironclad” prenuptial agreement. Both parties had been married and divorced previously and had tens of millions in assets that needed protection. While the average person likely has much fewer assets than either of these parties, there is still much to be learned from this trend in Hollywood. After child custody, division of assets is usually the second most argued point in a divorce. In many cases, neither party really wants these assets. Rather, they see it as a way to “get back” at the other party. Prenuptial agreements remove emotion from this part of the process by determining a fair division of property settled on when both parties were in love. Contrary to popular thought, prenuptial agreements are not an admission your marriage will fail. They are simply a preparation for the worst-case scenario that you hope never occurs.

If you are ready to walk down the aisle, have a child, or get divorced, you need to make sure you, your property, and your children are protected throughout the entire process. Contact the experienced Family Law attorneys at Lake Harriet Law Office at (612) 750-4843 to keep your divorce as civil as possible.