California fans of Chris Rock may realize that the comedian’s divorce is no laughing matter. The case puts the star’s $70 million fortune in jeopardy.
Rock initiated the divorce proceedings in December 2014. The two were married in 1996 after they met at the Essence Awards. Rock’s wife says that she gave up her established career in public relations after she married the comedian so that she could become a full-time mother. The couple has two children together, a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old. According to court documents filed by Rock’s estranged wife, she spends most of her time caring for the two children and does charity work in her free time. Rock asked for joint custody of the couple’s two children as part of his divorce filing. He also alleged that his wife had been keeping the children from him.
Although the couple had a prenuptial agreement, both Rock and his wife agree that it has expired. Rock’s wife is asking to be awarded a large portion of the $70 million that was accumulated during the marriage. She is asking for an award that is commensurate with the couple’s standard of living that they enjoyed while married. The wife claims that the basis for the award is due to the child-rearing and charitable work that she has performed since the couple has been married.
People who are involved in high asset divorces often have more at stake in their divorce than individuals with a smaller amount of marital property. However, in some cases, it may be possible to negotiate a settlement agreement to cover both property division and spousal support, and a family law attorney might provide assistance to one of the spouses in this regard.