Legendary talk show host Larry King filed papers in a Los Angeles court this week to divorce his wife of 13 years, Shawn Southwick King. This will be King’s eighth divorce. The couple has two children together, Cannon, 9, and Chance, 11. Southwick King was married three times before.

King’s divorce complaint asks for joint custody of the children and a denial of spousal support to Southwick King.

Southwick King also filed divorce pleadings of her own. In her filing, she asks the family court to declare the following her separate property — their Beverly Hills mansion, a house in Provo, Utah, and a house in St. George, Utah. According to TMZ.com, King transferred these properties to his wife several years ago, after she confronted him about having an extramarital affair with her sister, Shannon. That suspicion is reportedly behind the divorce filings as well. Both King and his sister-in-law reportedly deny any relationship.

In King’s pleadings, he requests that the transfers be voided. There is reportedly no prenuptial agreement – which means that Southwick King is entitled to an equal share of any marital property under California’s community property laws. King is rumored to be worth $144 million and is halfway through a four-year contract with CNN worth $56 million. Any assets accumulated over the last 13 years are subject to division.

The Lawyers

Southwick King is represented by Joseph Mannis of the law firm Hersh, Mannis & Bogen. Mannis currently represents actor Dennis Hopper in his pending divorce . His law partner Neal Hersh has previously represented the likes of Kim Basinger and Brad Pitt.

She has been seen meeting with celebrity divorce attorney Robert Kaufman in the past few days as well. Kaufman has handled divorces for Jennifer Aniston, Rupert Murdoch and Mel Gibson among others.

King is represented by Susan Carter and Dennis Wasser of Wasser, Cooperman and Carter. Dennis Wasser is currently representing Jamie McCourt, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in what has been described as the most expensive divorce in California history. He previously represented Tom Cruise in his divorce from Nicole Kidman.

Library Topics: divorce, joint custody, spousal support, prenuptial agreement, extramarital affair, marital property, community property