Family Law

Celebrity Divorce Roundup

By Erin Kelley

By: Gerri L Elder

Recession Not Extraordinary

With the downturn of the economy, many people are seeking modifications of their divorce settlements. Former Principle Capital Holdings SA chief executive officer Brian Myerson was one of those people. Bloomberg reports Myerson lost a bid to have the terms of his divorce settlement changed after the value of his company’s stock plummeted. A three-judge appeals panel in London refused to review the 2008 divorce settlement, leaving the approximate $16 million lump-sum payment to his ex-wife intact. Under British divorce law, alimony is negotiable, but lump-sum payments are final, except in extraordinary circumstances.

Counting Him Out

New York Post’s Page Six reports “The Real Housewives of New York City” star Countess Luann de Lesseps has separated from husband Count de Lesseps. The decision to separate was reportedly made after the Count ignored his wife’s calls and later e-mailed her to let her know he was serious about an Ethiopian woman he was with in Geneva. The Count and Countess have been married for 16 years.

Phoenix Mayor and Wife to Make it Official

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and wife Christa Severns have filed for divorce after 15 years of marriage and one year separation. AZ Central reports the former couple will have joint child custody of their 9-year-old son. Gordon, 57, has three adult children from his previous marriage to Debbie Gordon. The split is said to be very amicable. According to a Gordon spokesperson, the pair remains on good terms but has simply grown apart.

Full post as published by The Divorce Blog on April 01, 2009 (boomark / email).