Comedian, actor and talk show host George Lopez and his wife Ann Lopez are divorcing after 17 years of marriage. Married in 1993, they have a 15-year-old daughter, Mayan.

Sources indicate that the couple has been working out details of the split “for a long time,” but that the divorce was a mutual and amicable decision.

In a statement to UsMagazine.com, their spokesperson said: “George and Ann Lopez have made the decision to end their 17 year marriage. The decision is amicable and by mutual agreement. They remain dedicated parents, and committed partners in business and their philanthropic organization, The Lopez Foundation.”

Although Lopez has been an active comedian since the 1980s, his television and film career did not take off until the last ten years. His sitcom ran for about five years (2002-2007) and he now hosts a late night talk show. It would be surprising then to find that the couple had a prenuptial agreement. The lack of such an agreement would mean that most of their assets are marital property.

In addition to determining child support and custody arrangements for their daughter, the Lopezes will have to decide how to split their community property. It sounds as if they may attempt to continue to function as business partners after their divorce. Divorce attorneys generally counsel against remaining in business with an ex-spouse if it can be avoided due to the uncertainty of emotions in a post-divorce situation. Personally, I always wonder how two people can function well as business partners when they couldn’t bear to continue to be married to one another.

Interestingly, back in 2005, Ann Lopez donated one of her kidneys to her husband, who suffers from a genetic condition which led to kidney failure.

Library Topics: divorce, prenuptial agreement, marital property, child support, custody, community property, divorce attorneys