Family Law

Monterey County Divorce Attorney Discuses John Cleese?s Divorce

By Scott Sagaria

Monterey County Divorce Attorney Discuses John Cleese?s Divorce

John Cleese is famous for his acting roles in movies like a Fish Called Wanda and for his roles in the British series Monty Python and Faulty Towers. According to friends Mr. Cleese is said to be livid that his soon to ex-wife, Alyce Faye, has turned what should have been an amicable divorce into a litigation battle that could reach the same level of notoriety as the Paul McCartney and Heather Mills divorce. This will be Mr. Cleese?s third divorce. The couple married in 1992 and split in January of this year.

Ms. Faye is seeking spousal support of over $140,000.00 per month. Cleese is 68 years old and his wife is 63. Cleese is said to have told friends he wanted to wanted to wind down his career but after his wife?s demands he will have to keep working in order to fund her extravagance. Faye alleges that the parties share an opulent lifestyle which Cleese disputes. Faye is also seeking half of the nine properties Cleese owns around the world and half of his earnings during the marriage. Faye is also seeking attorney?s fees from Cleese in excess of $150,000.00.

If the parties continue into litigation both sides will likely have legal bills in excess of $100,000.00 before their divorce is final. According to reports the parties did seek counseling in order to have an amicable divorce but apparently those efforts have failed. Faye is also seeking funds from Cleese to pay for the services of a forensic accounting to trace her share of Cleese?s properties and financial holdings. Under California law Faye is entitled to one-half of Cleese?s earnings during the marriage. She is also entitled to spousal support which is why the couple is arguing over their marital standard of living. Cleese is disputing Faye?s claims of their opulent lifestyle during the marriage which if proven correct will affect how much support Faye receives.

Here at Sagaria Law we are very familiar with high income divorce cases and their impact on spousal support. We can also advise you on pre-divorce planning in order to discuss with your spouse settlement options in order to avoid contested litigation. Please contact us to set up a free consultation with you regarding divorce at our office in Monterey, San Jose or Fremont.

Full post as published by California Family Law Blog on March 03, 2008 (boomark / email).