Pitt-Jolie Had a Prenuptial Agreement: Why You Should Consider the Same

As most have probably heard by now, actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have filed for divorce. This Hollywood couple epitomized not only Hollywood glamour, but also something virtually extinct in Hollywood: a big family. Pictures of the couple globetrotting with their children have appeared in popular magazines and online since they first got together in 2004.

Since that time, their family has grown to include six children, and their pending divorce likely means that a long, drawn-out custody battle is ahead. Unfortunately for the two celebrities, all of this will be on full display and take place in the public eye.

 

What They Did Right

While their relationship began in 2004, Pitt and Jolie only decided to marry just two years ago. Prior to the marriage, they signed a prenuptial agreement drafted by their attorneys to make a potential divorce go smoother.

Combined, they have a significant net worth of around $400 million. Without a prenuptial agreement, every penny would need to be fought over. Thanks to their prenup, however, dividing their finances will be much easier.

The former couple also owns twelve properties together. In a divorce, dividing large assets such as homes and vacation properties can often be incredibly challenging. It is normal for both parties to have emotional and financial attachments to such large assets, which can make for a contentious fight.

In this case, every asset was listed in their prenuptial agreement. This will make dividing ownership of their twelve homes a matter of paperwork rather than a point to argue in court. Anyone getting married would be wise to at least consider following the celebrity couple’s example and have a family lawyer draft their own prenuptial agreement.

 

The Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement

You don’t have to be Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie to benefit from having a prenuptial agreement in place. While most couples do not like to think about the possibility of a future divorce, failing to do so can lead to intense heartache and struggle should the marriage dissolve. With around 50 percent of marriages ending in divorce, this is something that every couple should seriously consider.

If you have assets going into the marriage or one of you earns significantly more than the other, a prenuptial agreement becomes even more important. This is an agreement that lists items such as who owned what prior to the marriage. Identifying separate property makes it possible to take complete ownership of that property after a divorce. This is precisely what happened with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as they both owned significant properties and assets going into the marriage.

 

Other Considerations

A prenuptial agreement can also include provisions that detail issues like spousal support. For example, a clause may be included that indicates what a non-working spouse would receive should the marriage dissolve. Whether as a lump sum or as monthly payments, with this amount agreed to prior to the marriage, it becomes difficult for it to be contested during a divorce later.

The ultimate benefit of having a prenuptial agreement is that it makes the divorce process go much smoother, easier, and faster. Getting divorced is a traumatic event regardless of whether you’re famous or not. The easier you can make it, the faster you can recover and move on with your life.

 

Consult with a Rancho Cucamonga Divorce Lawyer

If you are about to get married or know someone who is, the Law Office of Laurence J. Brock can help you draft a prenuptial agreement that will protect your interests should a divorce become necessary later. While it’s not pleasant to consider the possibility, protecting yourself against the worst-case scenario is the smart thing to do.

To get started with your free consultation, just give us a call at 909-466-7661 or reach us online by completing the contact form on this page.

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Depp-Heard Split Raises Discussions on Domestic Violence and Divorce

As seen in the news, actress Amber Heard recently divorced from actor Johnny Depp. The dissolution of the marriage and the lead-up to it received a great deal of media attention—in no small part due to the allegations of domestic violence.

While Ms. Heard publicly claimed to have suffered physical abuse at the hands of Mr. Depp, it’s impossible for us to say what really happened in their case. However, the story has brought national attention to the wider issue of domestic violence and its effects on divorce.

 

Temporary Restraining Order

If you are ever in a situation where your spouse is verbally, emotionally, physically, or sexually abusing you, you can file a temporary restraining order that prevents him or her from coming within a certain distance of you. Allegations of domestic abuse are a very serious charge, so you will need to have evidence to prove your allegations in order for the temporary restraining order to become a permanent one.

 

Domestic Violence in a Marriage

Domestic violence is by far one of the most potent reasons to end a marriage, but it can sometimes be difficult to prove. A spouse can seem loving and doting in public but be abusive within the walls of your home. Any hitting, verbal abuse, emotional battery, or forced intercourse falls into the category of domestic abuse and must be presented to the court immediately for your protection.

As a divorce law firm, we take the safety of our clients very seriously. If there is any occurrence of domestic violence, you must let us know immediately so that we can move to obtain court-ordered protection for you at once.

 

Filing a Report

If you have been the victim of domestic violence and want to proceed with a divorce, it is critical that you speak with the police and a healthcare provider about what you have experienced.

Perpetrators of domestic violence will often show remorse afterward and try to emotionally blackmail the victim into silence. Unfortunately, too many divorce attorneys have seen this tactic work time and time again. A domestic abuser is highly unlikely to change his or her behavior. In order to protect you and your children, it is important to speak with the authorities and document the abuse.

 

Collect Evidence

After suffering domestic abuse, you need to collect and document evidence, such as by taking photographs or maintaining a journal. Any way that you are able to document the abuse will provide evidence that we can present to a judge.

If you suffered domestic violence, take pictures of your injuries. With verbal abuse, it’s possible that your neighbors may be able to testify on your behalf. If the abuse took place in public, then more options for evidence become available.

 

Don’t Suffer in Silence

If you have been the victim of domestic violence, there is help available. The first step is to speak with a family law attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and take steps to protect you. If you are in immediate danger, however, we always recommend that you call the police right away.

For more information with how to safely proceed with your divorce case, please call the Law Office of Laurence J. Brock at 909-466-7661 or schedule your free consultation using the form below.

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Top Five Ways a Divorce Lawyer Can Help You

When divorcing, you hire a divorce attorney to do the things you are unable to do. The first and most important duty an attorney has is to help you navigate the often complex family law court system. Hiring a divorce attorney provides you with the best opportunity to successfully proceed with your case, giving you a much better chance for a positive outcome.

Detailed below are the top five ways a divorce attorney can help you:

 

1. Anticipation of Legal Issues

Divorce attorneys think about and investigate any potential complications that may arise during a divorce trial. We will be looking for any unexpected legal issues that may become a challenge. Every case is different, so during your initial appointments, we will go over some of the things that you should anticipate and ensure that you are well prepared for what’s ahead.

 

2. Negotiate with the Other Divorce Attorney

One of the scariest prospects for many people is the idea of dealing with their former spouse’s attorney. If your ex has retained a divorce attorney, you are going to want your own to ensure you’re on even footing. With our help, it won’t be necessary for you to interact with the opposing legal counsel directly.

Also, hiring your own attorney means that you will have help preparing for your depositions and any conversations where the other attorney will be present. In addition, part of our job is to negotiate and deal with your former spouse’s legal team, thereby providing you with an emotional shield and proxy.

 

3. Locating Hard-to-Find Assets

In many divorce cases, separating the former couple’s assets can be an extremely complicated task. A divorce attorney can help find assets that your former spouse may wish to conceal. Some people will hide assets to make it appear as though they are nearly penniless, but our investigators can often find assets that have been hidden or disguised. We will use the tools of discovery to legally require a report of all income and assets.

 

4. Child Custody and Visitation Rights

If you have kids, one of the most frightening aspects of divorce is the question of how your relationship with them will be affected. Retaining access to your children is of paramount importance, and a divorce attorney can make certain that you’re able to receive the best custody or visitation arrangement possible for your case.

 

5. Child Support and Alimony

If you are seeking child support or alimony, it is important to understand how the process works and what you may receive. If you are likely to be the one paying child support, you need an attorney on your side. We will ascertain all of the facts, account for you and your spouse’s incomes, the amount of time the children are with each of you, and then make a proposal that is in keeping with the laws and regulations.

 

Get Help from an Experienced Divorce Lawyer

Making the decision to hire a divorce lawyer can be one of the most important decisions you ever make. While the topics mentioned above are likely to be some of the most pressing that you will encounter, there are many more aspects to a divorce that must be accounted for in order to achieve a successful outcome.

For more information and to get your questions answered, schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Laurence J. Brock. Please call 909-466-7661 to speak with us immediately or complete the form below to have someone from our office contact you at your convenience.

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