Michael Douglas’s Ex Wants Share of His ‘Wall Street’ Sequel Pay

By K. McKinney | Published: July 5, 2010

Michael Douglas and Diandra DouglasActor Michael Douglas is set to star in a sequel to his 1987 hit movie, Wall Street, this September. His ex-wife Diandra Douglas has taken him back to court for a share of his income from the new movie, despite the fact that they were divorced ten years ago.

After a bitter public divorce, Diandra received a reported $45 million. She now her divorce settlement agreement provides that she gets half of any money Michael gets from any movies he did — including residuals, merchandising and ancillary rights — during their marriage. The former couple was married from 1977 to 2000. They were still together when he originally played Gordon Gekko in the original Wall Street. He received an Oscar for Best Actor for his work as Gekko, whose famous line was “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.”

The sequel is slated to open in September and also stars Shia LaBeouf and Carey Mulligan.

Diandra’s lawyer, Nancy Chemtob, said the divorce agreement contained a clause that said her client is entitled to money from any “spinoffs” of Douglas’ movies, and that includes “Wall Street 2.” “It’s the same character, the same title, just years later,” Chemtob told Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Matthew Cooper.

Michael’s attorney argues that the movie is a sequel, not a spinoff, and that the two are inherently different. She also argues that the case should not have been filed in New York, but in California, where the parties were originally divorced. Chemtob responded that all parties now live in New York, making it the appropriate jurisdiction. Michael maintains that his domicile is actually in Bermuda and not in New York.

Chemtob has previously represented former talk show host Star Jones, fashion designer Tory Burch and, ironically, a large number of Wall Street billionaires. Michael Douglas is represented by attorney Marilyn Chinitz.

Library Topics: divorce, divorce settlement agreement

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Mel Gibson, Ex-Girlfriend Now Fighting in Court

By K. McKinney | Published: June 30, 2010

Mel Gibson and Oksana GrigorievaIn April 2009, Mel Gibson’s wife Robyn Gibson filed for divorce after 30 years of marriage and seven children with the actor. Later that month, Gibson went public with his relationship with Russian-born singer Oksana Grigorieva. Gibson and Grigorieva had reportedly been dating for some time prior to then.

It then became known that Grigorieva was pregnant with Gibson’s child. Baby Lucia was born on October 30, 2009.

Gibson and Grigorieva split up in April 2010. They apparently executed a custody agreement regarding Lucia at that time.

The quiet split hit the headlines this week as both parties went to court seeking restraining orders against the other, reportedly sparked by a denial of visitation on Father’s Day.

Grigorieva alleged that she was afraid of Gibson, in an emergency restraining order filed Monday against Gibson, citing a January incident in which he struck her during an argument at his Malibu home. A source close to Gibson says that the allegation is untrue and that it was Grigorieva who was out of control, placing Lucia in danger.

The source notes: “The allegation that Oksana is in fear of Mel is ridiculous. From January to March, she traveled with Mel to London and Paris at her insistence. This is all an attempt to gain financial advantage over him.”

Gibson, who is temporarily forbidden from contacting Grigorieva, was granted visitation with Lucia after his attorneys presented the parties’ custody agreement to the court. Sources close to Grigorieva say that she feels the agreement is unfair.

Gibson also filed a request for a restraining order against Grigorieva on Tuesday. The order prevents her from speaking about sensitive aspects about the case.

Gibson lives in Malibu. Grigorieva is living in a Sherman Oaks, California home owned by Gibson. Gibson’s family law attorney, Stephen Kolodny, says that, in addition to allowing her to live in that home, Gibson also bought Grigorieva a car, provides health insurance and has given “Oksana tens of thousands of dollars to support her and Lucia over the past months.”

Kolodny says this exceeds the requirements of the existing support and custody agreement. Sources close to Grigorieva deny that she has received any support from Gibson since their split.

Library Topics: child custody, child support, divorce lawyer, divorce, visitation

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Martina Navratilova, Ex Settle Dispute Over Split

By K. McKinney | Published: June 29, 2010

Martina Navratilova and Toni LaytonTennis icon Martina Navratilova has reportedly settled a lawsuit brought by her ex-lover Toni Layton for an estimated $3 million. Layton, who left her husband to be with Navratilova, had sued, claiming that Navratilova broke up with her after eight years and changed the locks on a Florida home they shared.

After feeling insulted by a $200,000 settlement offer, Layton also threatened to make public certain secrets she claimed Navratilova had. The former couple fought in court for two years over money, four houses in Florida and Colorado, multiple cars, a boat, jewelry, an animal sanctuary in Florida, art and pets, before settling out of court.

Layton’s lawsuit claimed the couple agreed to ‘evenly share (50 per cent/50 per cent) all funds and assets earned and obtained by either while together’. They were not legally married under Florida or U.S. law but did have a wedding ceremony.

Layton’s lawyer, Raymond Rafool, confirmed that the case had been resolved and stated that “[t]he terms of the settlement are confidential.”

Back in 1991, Navratilova and longtime girlfriend Judy Nelson split after an eight year relationship. At the time, it was rumored that Navratilova paid Nelson a settlement amount in the neighborhood of $3.5 million. That settlement did not contain a confidentiality clause and Nelson went on to write two books about Navratilova.

But Navratilova, who currently has breast cancer, insisted on a confidentiality agreement this time. There was apparently no written cohabitation agreement or other contract similar to a prenuptial agreement. Navratilova’s attorneys relied upon the fact that there was no legal same-sex marriage between the parties in their courtroom arguments. It appears, though, that they felt that Layton’s argument might carry some weight in court and agreed to settle.

Navratilova is now dating former Miss Universe Julia Lemigova.

Library Topics: settlement, requirements for valid marriage, cohabitation agreement, prenuptial agreement, same-sex marriage

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Mark-Paul Gosselaar Files for Divorce

By K. McKinney | Published: June 28, 2010

Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Lisa Ann RussellFormer Saved by the Bell and NYPD Blue star Mark-Paul Gosselaar filed for divorce from wife Lisa Ann Russell last week in Los Angeles Superior Court. The couple announced their separation several weeks ago.

Gosselaar and Russell were married in 1996, when they were 22 and 24 respectively. They reportedly met on the set of Saved by the Bell in 1993, when she had a small part on the television show.

The former couple has two children, Michael Charles, 6, and Ava Lorenn, 4. Gosselaar is seeking joint custody of the children.

His divorce petition cites “irreconcilable differences”, the only legal grounds for a California no-fault divorce. Internet reports suggested that Russell’s partying behavior was to blame for the split.

No “reason” is legally necessary to obtain a divorce in California (other than irreconcilable differences). Like most other states, California did away with fault-based divorce a generation ago. So, even if the rumors of Russell’s misbehavior are true, it is unlikely to have much bearing on the divorce.

“Fault” will not be taken into account when the court divides the parties’ community property nor when it makes determinations related to child support and/or spousal support. One party’s behavior could be taken into account in relation to child custody and visitation if that behavior is potentially damaging to the children. Behavior can also be considered if there is a prenuptial agreement which contains a fidelity or sobriety clause.

Gosselaar next will be seen on TNT’s new legal show Franklin & Bash.

Library Topics: divorce, joint custody, no-fault divorce, fault-based divorce, child support, spousal support, community property, child custody, visitation, prenuptial agreement

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Jesse James and Janine Lindemulder Continue Custody Battle

By K. McKinney | Published: June 19, 2010

Jesse James and Janine LindemulderAfter being released from federal prison and a halfway house, former porn star Janine Lindemulder was awarded unsupervised visitation with her six-year-old daughter, Sunny, last week. Sunny’s father, Lindemulder’s ex-husband (and Sandra Bullock’s soon-to-be ex-husband) Jesse James, isn’t too happy about the latest courtroom developments though.

James apparently refused to hand Sunny over this week for visitation because he felt she would have been at risk. Lindemulder responded by filing a motion to have James held in contempt of court for violating the visitation order.

James’ lawyers went to court on Friday to argue that Lindemulder is a drug addict and that unmonitored visitation would be dangerous to the child. They were armed with a letter from Lindemulder’s current husband, Jeremy Aikman (whom she met and married while in the halfway house). Aikman’s letter indicated that Lindemulder is a prescription drug abuser who buys pills off the street in addition to her legal prescriptions. He said that their home was not a safe environment for children.

Lindemulder presented a second declaration by Aikman though, this one claiming that Lindemulder was fine.

It is not clear exactly what the judge thought of the dueling declarations but, ultimately, the judge denied both sides. James was not held in contempt of court and Lindemulder is to have visitation as originally ordered. Any custody exchange is to be monitored by a third-party.

It is not unusual in a high-conflict relationship for child exchanges to be monitored. Sometimes the third-party monitor is someone mutually agreed upon whom the parties know. Other times, the monitor is part of a court monitored-exchange program and is completed unconnected to the parties.

The monitors serve as an incentive for a conflict-free exchange – as they can and do report an negative incidents to the court if necessary.

Next up in the James-Lindemulder battle: James’ lawyer announced that James intends to move from Southern California to Austin, Texas soon. This move is presumably to be closer to estranged wife Sandra Bullock and the infant that the two intended to adopt together before their sudden split over his infidelities earlier this year. Look for Lindemulder to fight any request to move Sunny to Texas.

Library Topics: visitation, custodial interference, custodial parent request to move

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    Paternity Suit Filed Against Tiger Woods

    By K. McKinney | Published: June 17, 2010

    Tiger Woods and Devon JamesPorn star Devon James (real name: Melinda Jannette) has filed a paternity suit against golfer Tiger Woods in Manatee County, Florida. Her petition asks the court to determine parentage of her nine-year-old son, Austin Brinling.

    If Woods is determined to be the child’s father, the court then has jurisdiction to establish child support and child custody.

    Interestingly, the petition for determination of paternity was a handwritten, fill-in-the-blanks form from the clerk’s office and was apparently filed without assistance of counsel. It seems unlikely that James could not find a family law attorney willing to help her file the suit.

    Some light, though, may be shed on that circumstance by a look at the court records of Manatee County. Back in 2002, the Florida Department of Revenue filed a paternity petition on behalf of Austin Brinling. That suit was filed against a man named Pele LaCruz Watkins. The state can file to establish paternity when it has assisted a child financially in some way. For example, if the mother or other guardian of the child received any sort of welfare, Medicare or other government assistance, the state will look to establish legal parentage in order for child support to be paid (hopefully, removing the need for state financial assistance for the child).

    Watkins was determined to be Austin’s father in that proceeding by default – although it is not clear whether he ever took a DNA test. Watkins was ordered to pay child support.

    TMZ.com reports that James’ mother currently has custody of Austin and that she says there is a DNA test showing Watkins as the biological father. James does not believe her mother has any DNA results and her spokesperson says she wants Tiger to submit to DNA testing. She says that she and Tiger met in Hawaii where she was visiting with golfer Paul Azinger’s family and that they carried on a two-year relationship.  (This would appear to precede his relationship with now-estranged wife Elin Nordegren.)

    Meanwhile, Watkins is incarcerated in a federal prison for conspiring to commit arson on a Florida strip club. (Seriously. I can’t make this stuff up…)

    Library Topics: paternity, child support, child custody, DNA test


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    Al Gore and Tipper Gore Separate After 40 Years of Marriage

    By K. McKinney | Published: June 9, 2010

    Al Gore and Tipper GoreTogether since they were high school students in the ’60s, former Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper Gore have announced that they are separating. The announcement came days after their 40th wedding anniversary.

    Generally viewed as an affectionate and modern married couple, the announcement seemed to shock the media and the Gores’ friends. The Gores said it was “a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration,” according to an e-mailed statement obtained by the press.

    Al Gore, Vice President under President Bill Clinton, infamously lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush. He later campaigned for climate change, winning a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar for his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth.

    The now-estranged couple are parents to Karenna, 37, Kristin, 33, Sarah, 31 and Albert III, 28. Kristin divorced her husband Paul Cusack last year. Karenna announced this week that she is separating from her husband of 13 years, Drew Schiff. Rough year for the Gores, I guess.

    There is no indication yet that the elder Gores will be filing for divorce. If they do, it seems unlikely that there was a prenuptial agreement signed back in 1970 when the couple was fresh out of college and Al Gore was preparing to go to Vietnam. There are, then, 40 years of marital assets to be divided between them.

    Al Gore is reportedly worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million – almost all of it made since 2001. Tipper will be entitled to an equitable division of those marital assets, which include homes in Virginia, Tennessee and California. Depending on how much Tipper receives in liquid assets (cash and stock market investments) and income-generating property, she may or may not receive spousal support. There are no custody or child support issues for a court to address as the children are no longer minors.

    Library Topics: separation, divorce, prenuptial agreement, division of property, spousal support, custody, child support

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    Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon Files for Divorce

    By K. McKinney | Published: June 5, 2010

    Garcelle Beauvais and Mike NilonActress Garcelle Beauvais has filed for divorce from her husband of nine years, Mike Nilon in Los Angeles.  The filing comes as no surprise after recent news of his infidelities.

    Back in April, Beauvais accused Nilon of cheating in an email she sent to his colleagues at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Nilon is a talent agent at CAA.

    Beauvais’ email, titled “Tiger Woods/Jesse James/Mike Nilon,” read: “What do they have in common… I found out today that MY husband of almost 9 yrs has been having an affair for 5 yrs with some slut in Chicago. I am devastated!!!! And I have been duped!! Our boys don’t deserve this!”

    The now-estranged couple married in 2001 and have 2-year-old twin sons, Jax Joseph and Jaid Thomas.

    Beauvais starred in the “The Jamie Foxx Show” from 1996 to 2001 and in “NYPD Blue” from 2001 to 2004.

    She is represented in the divorce action by Los Angeles family law attorney Michael Trope. Trope formerly represented Larry Birkhead in the paternity fallout which occurred after the death of Anna Nicole Smith. Trope is the son of legendary Hollywood divorce lawyer Sorrell Trope. Sorrell Trope’s firm, Trope and Trope (at which Michael Trope used to practice), has handled countless celebrity divorces and family law matters, including those of Nicolas Cage, Shaunie O’Neal, Nicole Kidman, and Britney Spears.

    Library Topics: divorce, adultery

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    Glee’s Jane Lynch Marries Long-Time Partner Lara Embry

    By K. McKinney | Published: June 4, 2010

    Jane LynchActress Jane Lynch (currently playing evil cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in the television show Glee) married her longtime girlfriend, psychiatrist Dr. Lara Embry, over Memorial Day weekend in Massachusetts.

    The couple married at the Blue Heron restaurant in the small town of Sunderland in west-central Massachusetts, one of the few states in the country which allows same-sex marriage.

    According to reports, 21 guests attended the ceremony on the restaurant’s patio. A dinner and reception followed at the restaurant.

    Lynch got engaged to Embry in November. Embry is a practicing psychiatrist in southwestern Florida. Lynch found fame as a comedic actress in films such as “Best in Show” and “Forty-Year-Old Virgin”.

    Currently, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington DC all permit same-sex marriages. Several other states recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in the above-listed states. Massachusetts does not have a residency requirement for the issuance of a marriage license. It is not believed that either Lynch or Embry resides in Massachusetts.

    Jane Lynch and Lara EmbryThe fact that the couple’s marriage is legal in Massachusetts and recognized in some other states does not convey any federal marriage benefits upon them and it does not convey any benefits in most other states.

    If the couple lives in California, they will have to register as domestic partners in order to enjoy some of the legal benefits of marriage such as intestate inheritance rights, rights to make health care decisions for an incapacitated spouse and more. If the couple lives in Florida, their marriage is not recognized as legal and there is no domestic partnership registration.

    Library Topics: same-sex marriage, states that permit same-sex marriage, states that recognize same-sex marriage, marriage license requirements, marriage benefits, Massachusetts family law, California family law, Florida family law

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    Dennis Hopper Dies Before Divorce Finalized

    By K. McKinney | Published: May 31, 2010

    Dennis Hopper and Victoria DuffyActor Dennis Hopper died last week after a protracted battle with prostate cancer. The divorce he filed against estranged wife Victoria Duffy Hopper in January, though, was not final at the time of his death.

    Victoria now reportedly plans to fight for a share of his estate. The couple’s prenuptial agreement provides for Victoria to have a bequest only if the couple was married and living together at the time of Hopper’s death.

    As the divorce was never finalized, they were still legally married (although separated for quite some time). Victoria will apparently argue that they were still “living together” because the house she was living in was on his property.

    If Victoria is successful in her argument, she will be entitled to 25% of her late husband’s estate and $250,000 in life insurance money.

    Dennis Hopper’s attorney, Joe Mannis, commented that, “[s]he said she would challenge it, and I fully expect her to do so.” Mannis most recently represented Larry King’s wife, Shawn Southwick King, in their now-abandoned divorce proceeding.

    As dead people cannot be divorced, the divorce action will be officially closed. And the battle will shift to probate court.

    Hopper and Victoria were married in April of 1996 and have a six-year-old daughter.

    Library Topics: divorce, marriage, prenuptial agreement

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    British Pop Star Cheryl Cole Divorcing Soccer Star Husband Ashley Cole

    By K. McKinney | Published: May 28, 2010

    Cheryl Cole and Ashley ColeNot-so-famous on this side of the Atlantic, British supercouple Cheryl Cole and Ashley Cole are dominating tabloid headlines in England this week. After separating in February, singer Cheryl has filed for divorce from her football (soccer) star husband. Cheryl’s attorneys filed paperwork for a fast-track divorce this week. It is expected that the two will be officially unmarried before what would have been their fourth anniversary in July.

    For those not in-the-know, Cheryl Cole gained fame back in 2002 when she was part of a British reality show called Popstars and ultimately became part of a successful girl band, Girls Aloud. The group had many top 10 singles in the years following their reality show creation. They are currently on hiatus.

    Since 2008, Cheryl has served as a judge on the wildly popular British competitive reality show X-Factor, created by American Idol producer and judge Simon Cowell.

    Ashley Cole is a defensive player for both the Chelsea football club and the English national football team. His talent, good looks and famous wife have made him a tabloid favorite over the years.

    The Coles married in July 2006 but have no children. Their joint assets are estimated at more than £27million and include a £6million country mansion. Ashley’s annual earnings are at least £6million including his football salary and endorsement deals. Cheryl’s earnings include advertising contracts with several high profile companies including L’Oreal makeup. It is generally believed that Ashley outearns Cheryl.

    Despite speculation that a judge would split their marital assets evenly, it now appears that Cheryl will not be seeking “her share” of his income and assets. She reportedly decided to move forward with the divorce without any argument over division of assets so that Ashley could concentrate on the upcoming World Cup without distraction.

    The split comes on the heels of reports of at least five different women who had extramarital relations with Ashley Cole over the six years the couple has been either dating or married. The divorce is expected to be final before England’s first World Cup game on June 12.

    Library Topics: divorce, marriage, marital property, equitable distribution, adultery

    Categories: Athletes, Entertainers People: , 3 Comments

    Ninth Divorce Lawyer Quits on Dwyane Wade’s Wife

    By K. McKinney | Published: May 26, 2010

    Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn WadeNBA superstar Dwyane Wade’s estranged wife Siohvaughn Wade is now officially looking for her tenth divorce lawyer. Her ninth and most recent attorney, Marsha Fisher, filed a motion to withdraw as Siohvaughn’s counsel this week in Cook County, Illinois (Chicago). The motion apparently cited irreconcilable differences between attorney and client.

    Dwyane Wade, star of the Miami Heat, filed for divorce back in November 2007. He has retained the same attorneys since the inception of the case – James Pritikin and his law firm Nadler, Pritikin & Mirabelli.

    Siohvaughn has been represented by a top Chicago family law firm, Davis|Friedman. Her main attorney there was Dorene Marcus, who entered her appearance in July 2008.

    In September 2008, attorney Burton Hochberg of Schiller Ducanto & Fleck entered his appearance for Mrs. Wade. The Schiller firm previously represented Juanita Jordan in her divorce from NBA legend Michael Jordan. From a review of the court’s docket entries, it appears that the Davis and Schiller firms may have both worked on the case simultaneously through the fall and early winter of 2008.

    In January 2009, Michael Berger of Berger Schatz entered his appearance as counsel for Siohvaughn Wade. Berger then withdrew in May 2009 and the Davis firm began filing pleadings on behalf of Siohvaughn again.

    The following month, David Stein of Stein & Stein and another attorney, John Rokacz, began serving as Siohvaughn Wade’s attorneys in the divorce action. That was number four and number five if you’re keeping track. Stein withdrew less than two months later.

    In August 2009, Rosaire Nottage of Nottage and Ward became Mrs. Wade’s lawyer. By December 2009, Michael Bruck of Williams & Montgomery was serving as co-counsel for Siohvaughn as well. (Bruck is not a family law attorney but may have been involved for other civil claims raised by Siohvaughn).

    The Chicago matrimonial law firm Katz & Stefani filed an entry of appearance on behalf of Siohvaughn Wade in February 2010. By mid-March, she was represented by Marsha Fisher. A month later, Nottage and Ward officially withdrew as her counsel.

    She has also reportedly consulted with Miami divorce attorney Andrew Leinoff. Read More »

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    TV Producer Seeks to Regain Custody of Kids After Wife’s Murder

    By K. McKinney | Published: May 25, 2010

    Bruce Beresford-Redman and Monica Beresford-RedmanThe body of Monica Beresford-Redman was discovered on April 8 in a sewer at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun where she had been staying with her husband, television producer Bruce Beresford-Redman and their two children. Bruce had reported her missing two days before.

    Mexican authorities identified Bruce as a “person of interest” in the case and seized his passport. Temporary guardianship of the children was awarded to Bruce’s parents while Bruce was unable to leave Mexico.

    Bruce Beresford-Redman has now returned to Los Angeles (although mysteriously without his passport) and is seeking to regain custody of his children. His criminal attorney Richard Hirsch says that Bruce has not formally been accused of any crime and has a legal right to custody of his children.

    Bruce, a former producer of reality shows Survivor and Pimp My Ride, is still a  “person of interest” in his wife’s murder according to Mexican law enforcement.

    Monica Beresford-Redman’s sister, Carla Ferreira-Burgos has spoken to the media and says she will fight Bruce Beresford-Redman for custody. Specifically, she said, “I don’t think someone suspected of killing their mother should be in charge of the kids.

    Without knowing a bit more about the status of the Mexican investigation and the status of Beresford-Redman’s passport, it is difficult to predict what a California family court judge might do in this situation. With no pending charges and, in all likelihood, no direct evidence from Mexican authorities that he is under suspicion (although the seizure of his passport and possible re-entry into the U.S. without it could reasonably imply such a position), an American judge wouldn’t have much reason to deny a father custody of his own children.

    It is certainly possible that the children could be returned to Beresford-Redman with the condition that they be allowed visitation with their mother’s family - especially in light of the uncertainty of their father’s legal situation.

    Library topics: legal guardianship, custody, grandparent visitation

    Categories: Executives / Politicians People: , 1 Comment

    Former Country Singer Mindy McCready Back in Court Over Custody

    By K. McKinney | Published: May 24, 2010

    Mindy McCreadyTroubled country music singer Mindy McCready was in family court in Lee County, Florida last week, seeking custody of her four-year-old son, Zander. The little boy is currently in the custody of McCready’s mother, Gayle Inge, after McCready experienced repeated legal and substance abuse problems.

    After finding success on the country music charts in the mid-90s, McCready has since made more news for her personal life than for her professional life. In August 2004, McCready was arrested in Tennessee for using a fake prescription to buy the painkiller OxyContin. She pleaded guilty and received probation.

    In May 2005, McCready’s ex-boyfriend (and Zander’s father), Billy McKnight, was arrested and charged with attempted murder after beating and choking McCready. That same month, she was stopped by Nashville police for speeding and then arrested and charged with driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

    Later that summer, she was charged in Arizona with identity theft, unlawful use of transportation, unlawful imprisonment, and hindering prosecution. In July 2005, McCready was found unconscious in a hotel lobby in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, after attempting suicide. She was hospitalized for a drug overdose after washing down a large amount of undisclosed drugs with alcohol.

    In September 2005, McCready, then pregnant with Zander, attempted suicide again by overdosing on antidepressants.

    Zander was born in March 2006.

    In July 2007, McCready was arrested in Florida and charged with battery and resisting arrest relating to an altercation with her mother. The following week, she was taken into custody at the Nashville International Airport for violating her Tennessee probation. In September 2007, McCready was sentenced to a year in jail for violating her probation. In addition to the jail time, she was ordered to serve two more years of probation and perform 200 additional hours of community service. At that time, McCready voluntarily gave legal guardianship and custody of Zander to her mother. McCready was released from jail in December 2007 but was far from out-of-trouble.

    Six months later, in June 2008, McCready was again arrested in Tennessee for violating the terms of her probation. Sentenced to 60 days in jail, McCready turned herself in on September 30, 2008. She was released early for good behavior on October 31, 2008.

    In December 2008, though, McCready apparently attempted suicide again and was transported to a hospital with wrist wounds.

    McCready recently appeared in the third season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which aired earlier this year on VH1.

    McCready’s attorney motioned to reopen the custody case. The judge ordered Florida’s Department of Children and Families to complete an investigation and report back to the court within 45 days. McCready will have visitation pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    Zander’s father, Billy McKnight, was also present in court, making the same request as McCready – to reopen the custody case.

    McCready claims that, in addition to addiction recovery, she has improved relations with McKnight and with her mother. It will be these changed circumstances that McCready will rely upon in seeking a change in custody. She will also endeavor to prove her fitness as a parent to the court. The judge will make his or her final determination based upon what is in the child’s best interests.

    Library topics: custody, legal guardianship, custody modification

    Categories: Entertainers People: 1 Comment

    Former Hollywood Power Broker Mike Ovitz and Wife Split

    By K. McKinney | Published: May 20, 2010

    Michael OvitzThe New York Post is reporting that Michael Ovitz, former head of Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and former Disney president, has split from his longtime wife Judy Reich. The couple has been together for over 40 years, since their days as students at UCLA. They have three grown children.

    Ovitz and four former William Morris agents founded CAA in 1975. CAA became very profitable and very powerful in the entertainment industry.

    After 20 years, Ovitz resigned from CAA in 1995 to become president of the Walt Disney Company under chairman Michael Eisner. He reportedly received $131 million in stock options to join Disney. His tenure at the company lasted a mere sixteen months. Ovitz was terminated by Eisner and received at least $38 million in cash as a severance package.

    His subsequent business venture, another talent agency called the Artist Management Group was sold to Jeff Kwatinetz for an estimated $12 million. AMG was merged into Kwatinetz’s management group The Firm.

    The Ovitzes recently built a new Los Angeles home and have their Brentwood mansion on the market for $8.5 million.

    Unless the couple has executed any post-nuptial agreements since their marriage, California law will result in the equal division of community property (and, in all likelihood, the great majority of their property will be considered community property). There will likely be a substantial award of spousal support due to the length of the marriage and the asset and income level attained during the marriage.

    Because their children are grown, the Ovitzes will not have to consider child custody, visitation or child support issues in their divorce.

    Library topics: post-nuptial agreements, community property, spousal support, child custody, visitation, child support, divorce

    Categories: Executives / Politicians People: , 2 Comments
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