Legal News

Family

Keep abreast of the latest news on the most common areas of family law—adoptions, marriage and premarital agreements (prenuptials), and divorce.

Featured Article

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are divorcing after seven years of marriage.

Lopez and Anthony Call It Quits

Jul 19, 2011

LegalZoom News Sources

After seven years of marriage, superstar couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have decided to divorce.

"We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters," the singers told People Magazine in a joint statement. They also said that the decision was "painful," and they want to maintain their privacy.

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Prenuptial Agreement Enables "Clean and Simple" Divorce for Mellencamp

Aug 17, 2011

An Indiana judge recently finalized the divorce of rock star John Mellencamp and his wife of 18 years, model Elaine Irwin.

The couple filed for divorce last January. During the spring, each attended a mandatory seminar for divorcing Indiana parents who have children younger than 18 years old, the Bloomington Herald-Times reports. Mellencamp and Irwin have two sons, ages 17 and 16.

Though the exact details of their split remain sealed in a confidential agreement, the couple will reportedly have joint custody of their children, with Irwin granted primary physical custody.

Locklear and Wagner to have a Real-Life Melrose Place Wedding

Aug 15, 2011

Heather Locklear, star of the hit 1990s prime-time soap opera Melrose Place, recently became engaged to a Melrose co-star, Jack Wagner.

Locklear's spokesperson, Sarah Fuller, confirmed the engagement to the Associated Press but did not provide any details about the couple's relationship or impending wedding, and did not say whether they would sign a prenuptial agreement.

This will be Locklear's third marriage. She was previously married to two rock stars: Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora.

Star of The Help Will Adopt

Aug 15, 2011

Viola Davis, star of the current film adaptation of the best-selling novel The Help and two-time Tony Award winner, is in the process of adopting a child.

The actress announced the impending addition to her family one day before her 46th birthday, in an interview with E! News at the Hollywood premiere of The Help.

Economy Prompts Couples to Find Affordable Routes to Divorce

Aug 11, 2011

Due to the tough economy, South Florida residents are filing fewer court cases and are seeking budget-friendly ways to obtain legal services, reports WZVN, the Fort Myers ABC affiliate.

As a result of this trend, the divorce rate in Florida has decreased during the past year, according to the source.

An area attorney told WZVN that legal costs running to thousands of dollars have become prohibitive for many couples seeking divorce. Filing costs alone, which for a divorce run to more than $400 in Florida, can make divorce impractical in this economy.

Formula One Heiress Signs Prenuptial Agreement

Aug 9, 2011

Petra Ecclestone, the 22-year-old daughter of European Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone, has signed a prenuptial agreement to protect a reported $300 million fortune, according to The Daily Mail.

After Radar Online reported her parents pressured her to sign a prenup, Ecclestone told the Daily Mail that her entrepreneur fiance, James Stunt, suggested they draw up an agreement.