Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog

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.

Gibson and Baby Momma Hash Out Custody, Child Support

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:54:13 -0500

Mel Gibson, who has faced claims of domestic violence lodged by ex-lover Russian pianist Oksana Grigorieva, has come to an agreement over custody and child support of the 22-month-old child, Lucia, the two share. Although specific details of the custody agreement haven't been released, it's assumed Grigorieva will continue to have primary custody of their daughter.

And less than two weeks after they agreed to the child's custody, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman announced Gibson will pay periodic payments to Grigorieva totaling $750,000 and establish a trust for their child.

Former Indianapolis Mayor Denies Claim of Domestic Violence

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:25:56 -0500

Stephen Goldsmith has just resigned as deputy mayor of New York City after he was arrested for domestic violence when an argument with his wife turned violent. The former mayor of Indianapolis, who faced wide criticism for failing to properly handle the snowstorm that shut down NYC over the Christmas holiday. Arrested on July 30 after his wife, Margaret, told Washington, DC-police Goldsmith smashed a phone and grabbed her when she tried to call them during the argument in which he shoved her into the kitchen counter.

At the time of the dispute, Margaret dug her nails into his arm, according to a report. But since Goldsmith spent two nights in jail, Margaret has back-pedaled, issuing a statement in which she denied she came to any physical harm and said there was no violence nor had the commission of a crime taken place.

Indian Child Custody Battle Leads to Murder

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 06:56:48 -0500

Violent child custody battles aren't unique to the United States. In Jaipur, the capital city of the Indian state of Rajasthan known as the "Pink City", Pradeep Jain, who was engaged in a custody battle with his wife, killed four, including his wife, before committing suicide.

Described as educated, but short-tempered, a lawyer appointed to assist him with his long-term custody battle with his wife and in-laws said, "He used to keep to himself and won't speak if not spoken to. He used to flare up in a matter of seconds." The battle began soon after his 2006 marriage to Devali-woman, Suman.

Divorces to be Simpler to Obtain in Tennessee

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:59:46 -0500

Following the findings of study to improve access to justice, which was commenced by the state's Supreme Court, Tennesseans seeking a divorce may find it easier and cheaper than ever before. Beginning September 1, residents without minor children or pension plans will be able to file for divorce without lawyers, using so-called plain-language forms.

The forms, which are intended for uncontested divorces only, come with instructions on how to fill them out, an explanation of what to expect in court, and what not to wear. The instructions also deal with a wide range of situations - whom to contact if one spouse threatens the other and how to find a lawyer - and suggests that a couple may want to consult an attorney to review the divorce agreement.