On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Family Law on Monday, December 9, 2019.
Missouri residents who follow celebrity news may be aware that “Transformers” star Josh Duhamel and former Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie separated in September 2017 and filed for divorce earlier this year. Media outlets have reported that the A-list couple finalized their divorce in Los Angeles on Nov. 25. A person close to the couple told reporters that Duhamel and Fergie waited two years to make their split official because they wanted to be sure that they were doing the right thing.
According to media reports, the celebrity couple maintained an amicable relationship while living apart and worked out a co-parenting arrangement to take care of their 6-year-old son. They met in 2004 when the Black Eyed Peas appeared on Duhamel’s NBC show “Las Vegas.” Celebrity gossip writers say the couple decided to separate because Fergie wanted to have more children and Duhamel did not.
Duhamel and Fergie’s divorce papers were filed in a Pasadena court. Initial reports contain few details about the couple’s property division agreement or custody arrangements. Duhamel continued to support his wife even while they were living apart. When the singer was criticized for her rendition of the national anthem before the NBA All-Star Game in 2018, Duhamel took issue with what was being said about her on social media and came to her defense in television interviews.
Not all divorces are as amicable as this one appears to have been. Couples with significant assets often find themselves drawn into bitter court battles when property division and spousal support negotiations break down, and these disputes are litigated in a public forum. Experienced family law attorneys could advise couples to take a proactive approach by drafting prenuptial agreements. Attorneys could also urge couples to declare all of their assets and negotiate these agreements in good faith while working toward a set of fair provisions.
