Even though celebrity couples who are divorcing may have more complicated financial situations than most, New Jersey couples who are facing the end of a marriage could still learn a few things from them. For example, one contentious issue in celebrity breakups may be rights to intellectual property. This came up in the divorce of Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore. However, people who are not celebrities may also own or have an interest in copyrights, patents and other types of intellectual property, and it is good to be aware that these might be included in a divorce settlement.
Entertainment reporters may also echo misconceptions about real estate ownership. For example, it was reported that Jason Hoppy and Bethenny Frankel were continuing to live together in New York because neither wanted to lose their claim of ownership on the apartment they shared. However, where a person resides has no bearing on how jointly shared property bought with marital assets is divided.
The date of separation may also be an issue. After 10 years, military spouses and spouses who will earn considerably less in Social Security may earn benefits based on their partner’s records. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose to announce their split 10 years and one day after their wedding. While this was probably connected to a prenuptial agreement, other couples may want to follow suit.
Being well-informed about divorce laws and what to expect can make the proceedings go more smoothly. It is also important to keep in mind that laws vary from state to state, so reports about how divorce laws operate in one state may not be true in New Jersey. A person who is considering divorce may want to begin by speaking to a lawyer to start getting a sense of how issues such as property division, child custody and spousal support might play out.