Out of Control Divorces

Connecticut seems to get more than its share of out of control divorces. I don’t know if it is its proximity to New York or something else but as a former "Nutmegger" or that I know most of the attorneys or that I am a Huskie basketball fan, I am still fascinated. The latest is the Douglas-David vs. David divorce. It has gotten lots of headlines because of the Wife’s claim that she needs $53,000 per week alimony and the $43,000,000 prenuptial agreement is not enough. She wants more of the $329 million.

Most people don’t realize how public the divorce docket is. You can go to http://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/DispDetail.asp?DocNum=HHD-FA-07-4032144-S And see all the motions filed on the case. It is amazing in a case like this how many motions have been filed. There were 82 docket entries from August 2007 to March of 2009. There are seven appearances by attorneys or law firms.

Tracey Cohen wrote about the divorce at http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/03/19/could-you-live-on-53-000-a-week/?icid
She said, "It's hard for to feel sorry for a woman who is receiving a $43 million divorce settlement, and is still claiming that she can't possibly survive on such a small sum of money. Marie Douglas-David and former investment banker George David are getting a divorce, and of course, fighting over the money. His net worth is estimated at $329 million. They were married in 2002, and for doing less than 7 years of hard time, Marie wants a lump sum of $100 million and $130,000 a month alimony. That's $1.56 million a year in alimony, plus that nice chunk of change up front. The problem is that in 2005, in the middle of the marriage (after they had a number of break-ups and reconciliations), Marie signed an agreement saying she'd get $43 million when they divorced. Of course, George is a heartless bastard who clearly wants her to starve, because she can't possibly live on only $43 million! The 36 year-old says her weekly expenses are over $53,000, and those must be paid! The weekly expenses include maintaining four homes (one on Park Avenue, one in Sweden), $4,500 of clothing, $1,000 for hair and skin treatments, $8,000 for travel, and more."

I often wonder if a case like this could have been mediated. What do you think?

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