Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog

Deion Sanders in Real-Life 'War of Roses'

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:46:06 -0500

In December, NFL Hall of Famer and current NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders, 44, filed for divorce from his wife of thirteen years, Pilar Sanders, 38. She responded by filing a $200 million defamation suit against him and his daughter, Deiondra, and another against him and his aunt, Laura Jones, after Jones allegedly attacked Pilar while Deion watched. Despite all of the pending litigation, the couple both continued to live in their Dallas-area mansion. That is, until April 23 when both parties made allegations of domestic violence against the other.

In this he-said, she-said dispute, Pilar found herself arrested and detained overnight after Deion claimed Pilar and a female friend attacked him in his bedroom; her criminal attorney, Peter Schulte, said she sustained a broken thumb and a swollen lip and that Pilar went to jail instead of Deion because of his celebrity. Her divorce attorney, Larry Friedman says Sanders, who was charged with misdemeanor assault and not arrested, set up Pilar by repeatedly calling police until they arrested her.

Dennis Quaid's Wife Rescinds Divorce

Sun, 13 May 2012 18:53:09 -0500

Kimberly Quaid, Dennis Quaid's third wife, has had a change of heart. Earlier this year, the mother to the couple's four-year-old twins who almost died after birth following an administered overdose of coagulant heparin, Kimberly filed for divorce in Travis County, Texas, from the actor, alleging "discord or conflict of personalities." In her court filings, she sought spousal support, a share of his assets, and attorney fees. The actor, previously married to actress Meg Ryan, requested the judge deny her financial requests.

Since her initial filing, Kimberly's attorney has filed a "notice of nonsuit," through which she has asked the court to dismiss the divorce action, and the assigned judge agreed. During their split, a rep for the Quaids said they were working on a "satisfactory settlement," and they were ordered by the court to cooperate in who got use of their Range Rover, with Kimberly being given possession of the couple's house and the two sharing custody.

Gag Order Issued in Controversial Utah Custody Case

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:41:39 -0500

The judge assigned to a unique Utah custody dispute has closed the courtroom and issued a gag order intended to protect the children at the center of the dispute. In the case, 18-year-old Pelle von Schwedler Wall is seeking to remove his three siblings from the home of his father, pediatrician John Brickman Wall, saying they are in danger. He accuses his father, 48, of failing to properly care for them, as well as inflicting "non-accidental harm, threatened harm and emotional damage" following the "suspicious" bathtub drowning death of their mother, Uta von Schwedler, in September.

The death hasn't been determined a homicide, but it hasn't stopped the 18-year-old from seeking custody of his siblings. His aunt, who flew from Australia for the hearing, Almut von Schwedler said, ""I believe my sister was killed by Johnny [her ex-husband]." Since divorcing in 2006, Uta von Schwedler and Wall have been in a bitter custody dispute.

Florida Courts Address Definition of Motherhood

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:39:54 -0500

Thanks to a custody battle winding its way through Florida courts, the State's legislature may be forced to rewrite its 19-year-old law concerning rights of egg and sperm donors that says donors relinquish parental rights upon donation. The battle concerns two lesbians who had a child nine years into their relationship; one mother donated the egg, and the other carried the fertilized egg, giving birth in 2004. Two years later, they broke up, and the birth mother took their daughter without telling her other mother, eventually settling in Australia.

Saying the biological mother, as an egg donor, didn't have parental rights under state law, the trial judge sided with the birth mother, but hoped he would be overturned on appeal. According to the 5th District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach, both women have parental rights. The birth mother argues the biological mother was nothing more than a donor. Court records show the women intended to raise the child as a couple, and the Court of Appeals wrote, "Their separation does not dissolve the parental rights of either woman, nor does it dissolve the love and affection either has for the child."

Seal and Heidi Klum to Separate

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:39:15 -0500

Singer Seal and his German model wife, Heidi Klum, have decided to separate after seven years of marriage. The couple, known for renewing their vows annually, have three children together, and were considered one of the more solid celebrity couplings.

News of their separation broke Sunday following rampant reports that Klum would file for divorce from Seal. In a joint statement, the couple said, "While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate.

San Francisco Swears in Sheriff Accused of Domestic Violence

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:53:51 -0500

Amidst domestic violence allegations that he grabbed and bruised his wife's arm during a heated argument New Year's weekend, San Francisco swore in Ross Mirkarimi as its new sheriff this past weekend. The couple's neighbor, Ivory Madison, a trained attorney and writing coach, documented the injuries at his wife's request and later reported the incident to police.

Since the investigation began, Mirkarimi's wife, Eliana Lopez -- a former telenovela star in her native Venezuela -- hasn't cooperated with police. Last Wednesday, investigators served a search warrant on Madison, removing a video camera and iPhone, both of which are said to have evidence of the injuries.

OK Man Uses Federal Law to Regain Custody of Adopted Daughter

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:33:09 -0500

When Dusten Brown, an army soldier from Oklahoma, signed a document in 2009 agreeing to put up his newborn daughter for adoption, he did so without understanding what he was signing. Since then, Brown hired attorneys and fought for his daughter's return.

Under normal circumstances, Brown probably wouldn't have any recourse. But two years later, a South Carolina judge has agreed with his attorneys, who argue the 1978 federal law called the Indian Child Welfare Act applies to Brown's case.

Steelers' Receiver Facing Custody Suit As Playoffs Loom

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:16:05 -0500

Just days before his Pittsburgh Steelers were set to face the Denver Broncos in an AFC Wild Card matchup, 23-year-old receiver, Antonio Brown, was sued for child custody in Miami, Florida. Brown, who shares 4-year-old son, Antonio, Jr., with Shameika Brailsford, has been accused of running off with the boy and refusing to return him.

Dismissing the allegations, Brown said, "My son is a happy kid. That's not something I'm worried about. My kid is here for a reason. I'm a good father. He's a happy kid if you've ever seen him."

North Carolina Man Kills Ex-Girlfriend, Self

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:35:51 -0500

Around eight o'clock on Wednesday morning, Gregory Hicks of Franklin County, North Carolina fatally shot his ex-girlfriend, Rosemary Guzman, before killing himself. The two, who shared two young children, had an on-again, off-again relationship and a history of domestic violence.

Hours before Hicks, 29, showed up at the home of Guzman's friend, with whom she was staying, Guzman called Louisburg, North Carolina police and reported that Hicks had assaulted her. A warrant was issued, but police were unable to locate Hicks. In August, Hicks was convicted of assaulting Guzman, 24; the arrest warrant alleged Hicks punched Guzman before threatening to return later and kill her.

NBA Star Facing Divorce Proceedings

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:47:47 -0500

On Friday, Vanessa Bryant, wife of the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, filed for divorce from the NBA star in Orange County, California. Citing irreconcilable differences, the filing comes 10 years after they married.

It's also eight years after Bryant was accused and charged with the rape of a 19-year-old hotel worker. Bryant, who admitted to having sex with the girl, denied assaulting her and never faced trial because the girl refused to testify. Following the accusation, Vanessa famously stayed by Bryant's side and was reportedly gifted with an 8-carat, $4 million diamond ring for supporting him.

Tea Party Favorite Delinquent with Child-Support Payments

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:02:20 -0500

An attorney for Laura Walsh, ex-wife of Tea Party darling and first-term US Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), says the congressman is behind more than $100,000 in child-support payments. Ms. Walsh, who has returned to court numerous times since filing for divorce in 2002, argues Rep. Walsh has failed to meet his court-ordered child-support obligations, at times paying half of the ordered amount or nothing at all. Her ex-husband claimed he had no money and was unable to make payments as ordered.

She first became suspicious last year when Rep. Walsh made a $35,000 contribution to his own congressional campaign, contradicting his claims he was broke. Her attorney filed the Motion for Contempt and sought an Order to Show Cause. Cook County Circuit Judge Raul Vega agreed to issue show cause order, which will force Rep. Walsh to prove he doesn't owe the money or face being held in contempt.

Recently-Retired Baseball Star Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:54:50 -0500

One of the stars of the Boston Red Sox team that finally broke the franchise's World Series Championship draught, Manny Ramirez, was arrested in Broward County, Florida on charges of domestic violence. The 39-year-old Dominican slugger, who retired in April following a second positive test for prohibited substances, spent the night in jail after Juliana, his once-estranged wife accused him hitting her in the face, which caused her to fall and hit her head into a bedpost.

At his Tuesday arraignment, bail was set at $2,500 and Ramirez was ordered to stay away from Juliana. When police arrived at the couple's Weston, FL home, Ramirez denied hitting her, claiming he was only holding her by the shoulders when she tried to move, and that caused her to hit her head.

Singer Seeks Custody of Grandchild

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:43:05 -0500

Grammy Award winning singer Chaka Khan has successfully petitioned to obtain guardianship of her 10-year-old granddaughter. In her petition, Khan argued the girl's mother has a "heavy involvement in drugs" and isn't capable of caring for the girl. Khan also says she has already "assumed on a day-to-day basis the role of the child's parent fulfilling both the child's physical and psychological needs for care and affection."

Texas Gay Couple to Challenge Judge's Custody Ruling

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:09:37 -0500

William Flowers, who divorced his ex-wife, Lacey, in 2004, has lost his battle for primary custody of his 14-year-old son and 9-year-old twin daughters, arguing the Texas judge ruled against him because he's homophobic. Now Flowers, who married his husband, Jim Evans, in Connecticut last year, plans to appeal the decision and says it prevents them from having a normal family life.

And they're not the only people opposed to the decision. Loud protests were witnessed on the steps of Houston's civil courthouse last week when Judge Charley Prine of the 309th Court signed the child possession order. In the order, Prine wrote Flowers could never leave his kids without anyone they are not related to "by blood or adoption" without Ms. Flowers' consent.

Kansas Considers Changes to Child Support

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:02:57 -0500

Under a plan proposed by an advisory committee appointed by the Kansas Supreme Court, parents will see an increase in child-support payments. The state last adjusted child support figures in 2008, and the changes have been designed to reflect higher costs associated with caring for children.

The committee, which is currently taking public comments on its proposals until October 24, says the payments would vary by age, with the biggest increases applying to those between 6 and 11.