Terrence Howard of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" fame will soon be divorcing his wife of just one year.

Court documents show that Michelle Howard is the one who petitioned for the divorce in a Los Angeles court. The papers were handed in on January 27, the same day that they were separated as well. Details of their divorce are minimal right now as Michelle listed "irreconcilable differences" as the reason.

The actor had already started controversy over his marriage by keeping it a secret for five months. They were married in Jan. 20, 2010 but Howard didn't announce it until the Cannes Festival in May. At that time he had told Anderson Cooper, "To come here and be with my wife, it's the best feeling in the world."

Now his wife is asking for miscellaneous jewelry, community assets as well as attorney fees. The actor is now on his third divorce; he was married to and divorced from Lori McCommas twice who is the mother of his three children.

Going through a divorce in L.A.?  Now is the time to contact Claery & Green to get assistance from a Los Angeles divorce lawyer.

After all of the time spent in the tabloids Eva Longoria and Tony Parker may not make front page news anymore as their divorce has been finalized. Parker brought the final documents to a courthouse in Texas on Friday and filed to end their marriage.

In Los Angeles Longoria's lawyer filed the appropriate paperwork to dismiss the original divorce petition that were filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. For those who are wondering why the couple decided to end their marriage in the state of Texas, it is because that is where their prenuptial agreement was signed. It is not just because the actress is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas.

According to sources close to Parker and Longoria all of the issues that arose during the divorce proceedings have been resolved and the pair is speaking amicably at this time.

If you're going through a divorce, the best thing you can do is hire a Los Angeles divorce lawyer as soon as possible.  Contact our law firm to learn how a divorce attorney can help you. 

If you are just started your divorce proceedings then you might not be familiar with the importance of a marital settlement agreement. Although each divorce situation is unique to the couple involved, most people will fall under the category of needing this agreement.

Those who are usually exempt from a marital settle agreement are those who have no joint debts, no children and no marital property. If that is the case then you are on good grounds for a no-fault divorce and it could be smooth sailing from here on out. However, many married couples do have one of the aforementioned items, making an agreement necessary to end the marriage.

In order to create boundaries in your relationship past the marriage stage, as well as give the court additional evidence about the specific day that you decide to get separated, a marital agreement settlement is necessary. It provides the details about the end of your marriage and why both parties are seeking divorce. This is in lieu of verbal understandings that can be both misinterpreted and not valid in court.

Depending on your state this agreement can make the divorce proceedings much easier. In California, for example, the court recognizes and appreciates this document, rewarding couples with a faster divorce hearing since you are showing that there is no contest to the divorce from either side.

Have questions about marital settlement agreements?  Contact us to get answers from a Los Angeles family law attorney. 

After just one year and three months of marriage actress Jaime Pressly has filed for divorce from husband Simran Singh. It looks like the Christmas holidays didn't bring cheer for the couple as court records show that they separated just two days after the holiday. This incident occurred a week and a half before Pressly was arrested on DUI charges.

Although not much is known yet about their separation the court records show a reason of "irreconcilable differences" listed for the pair. The actress is also denying Singh, an entertainment attorney, any spousal support. Friends close to the couple are starting to speak out about the relationship, one insider confiding that Singh was not so nice to his bride. "I think it comes down to she married this guy too fast," the friend said, "He seemed like a good guy but he is super full of himself and puts her down for everything."

Pressley is not only dealing with her divorce and DUI arrest but the actress is also under scrutiny from the IRS for owing as much as $637,000 in state and federal taxes.

Are you thinking about divorce?  If so, contact Claery & Green to discuss your case with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer. 

After sparking a public outcry for his infidelity against and divorce from Sandra Bullock, Jesse James is now announcing his upcoming nuptials to tattoo artist Kat Von D. Despite all of the nasty things said about him in 2010, James retaliated by saying that "2010 was actually the best year of my life because I fell in love with my best friend. An amazing woman who stood behind me when the world turned their backs."

Kat Von D, or Katherine Drachenberg, has responded by saying that "There is no one else for me. He is the one."

Although Von D has certainly been at the center of controversy with James, it was actually stripper Michelle "Bombshell" McGee who claimed to be having an affair with Bullock's ex-husband last April. It was ultimately McGee's confession that led to the end of Bullock's and James' five-year marriage.

No matter what the reason for your divorce, you deserve aLos Angeles divorce attorney that can represent your best interests. This is especially true when the reason for your divorce is infidelity.  Contact Claery & Green today!

Singer Christina Milian has recently spoken out about her divorce from husband The Dream, saying that she has gone "to hell and back." After just a year of marriage the 29-year-old pop singer was prompted to seek a divorce after multiple reports of infidelity made their way to her ears. To top it off Milian was pregnant when she first learned about the terrible situation.

However, she is attempting to put a positive spin on her divorce by saying that it has made her a stronger person, preparing her for the next phase of her life. One of the primary lessons Milian took from The Dream's cheating is that people really never change their ways.

She recently gave an interview to Latina magazine where she commented, "I learned who I am and what I will accept for myself and my daughter." Milian also spoke about her suspicions that something had started to go wrong with her marriage but hadn't acted on those feelings.

If you would like legal help during your divorce, contact us to work with a Los Angeles divorce attorney.

Although there are many items that you will have to take care of before, during and even after your divorce, it is probably most important to settle your finances before starting the divorce procedure. Don't be surprised if your spouse's lawyers ask to see all of your financial statements - it is their legal right to have full disclosure of your finances throughout the divorce until everything has been settled.

Even though your initial reaction might be to hide your finances from your spouse, maintaining the attitude that it simply isn't their business to know about your finances, it may send a warning flag to the opposing side's lawyers. It could in fact turn around on you, causing the lawyers to look more carefully at your finances, perhaps even delaying the divorce proceedings.

While you could ask your attorney to compile all of your documents for you, it will come at a higher cost as they often bill by the hour. If you want to save time and money during your divorce proceedings, take the time now to get your financial statements together to ease the transition.

Have questions about pre-divorce steps? Contact us to consult with a Los Angeles divorce attorney!

While many people are compiling their list of resolutions for the New Year, some people decide to go down the road of divorce. In the legal world, January 1 is known as "divorce day." On this day many people will call updivorce attorneys or marriage counselors to discuss their relationships.

While there are many reasons why January 1 could prompt people to call divorce lawyers, some experts attribute it to too much time together over the holidays. Other couples might decide to stay together during the holidays for their children's sake; thus they decide to wait until after the holidays are over to announce their intent to divorce.

Finally, couples might decide to share the financial burden of the holidays together before parting ways. They might also be waiting to use income tax refund money to offset the costs of divorce.

If you are contemplating divorce it is time to contact a Los Angeles divorce lawyer now before you make the final decision about your marriage.

Miley Cyrus' parents are seriously getting divorced as evidenced by their desire to sell their Toluca Lake home. Sources close to the family report that the couple hopes to put their home on the market with a price tag of $7 million or more.

However, soon-to-be-ex-Mrs. Cyrus, Tish, was reportedly looking for homes in Encino before their divorce was publicly announced. She is hoping to stick around the $4.5 million mark for her new home. She either knew that the divorce was coming or she had anticipated her brood reducing in size soon, as most of the kids are reaching the age when they will leave home.

Good news is that we know she won't be looking to move in with rocker Bret Michaels; he recently announced that he is going to wed his long-time love interest.

If you are contemplating divorce and want to start the division of assets, including your shared home, it is time to enlist a Los Angeles family law attorney that is experienced in divorce law. Don't attempt to work out the details on your own, especially if your divorce could turn into a messy one. Contact Claery & Green today!

Because she is madly in love, Jessica Simpson is resisting the prenuptial agreement that her father, Joe Simpson, is urging his daughter to sign with Eric Johnson. The singer does not agree with her father, believing the prenuptial agreement to be a bad omen and completely unromantic. Simpson does not think it would be a good idea to get the former NFL player to sign one.

Due to this disagreement between father and son, the former NFLer feels that the family does not like him and only views him as a user. Yet, according to several sources, Johnson made the singer buy her own engagement ring. After all, he is technically unemployed.

Although she isn't singing as much anymore, her clothing empire has become extremely lucrative and is closing in on the $1 billion mark. Sources wonder whether Joe Simpson is actually concerned about his daughter's welfare or attempting to protect his own financial interests in her burgeoning business.

Thinking about drafting a nuptial agreement?  Get the help you need from a Los Angeles family lawyer.  Contact our law office now!

Known for keeping her personal life just that, personal, actress Reese Witherspoon is finally opening up about her divorce to Entertainment Weekly. Although the separation from former husband Ryan Phillippe was difficult, the actress was able to maintain a positive attitude throughout the process, saying "I don't feel bad about any of the things I've gone through, whether it's divorce or breakups or anything like that, because that's all part of the life journey, and I have those experiences like anyone else."  She credits these difficult times in her life for her creativity as well.

Phillippe was not spared from pain associated with the breakup, commenting this past June that he had started to reconcile his feelings about the marriage and subsequent divorce. "I still have sadness and complicated feelings about my divorce," he said "but how beneficial is it to keep hanging onto those feelings?" He now hopes to become a better father, boyfriend and, one day, a husband again.

Two children are a result of Witherspoon and Phillippe's marriage: 11-year-old Ava and 7-year-old Deacon. 

If you're considering divorce, now is the perfect time to consult with a Los Angeles divorce attorney.  Don't hesitate to contact Claery & Green to get the legal help you need.

Despite being the one to file for divorce, it seems that Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria is having difficulties coping with her divorce. The split with NBA star Tony Parker has been more difficult for the star, especially amid rumors of cheating. However, Robert Verdi, Longoria's best friend, told Life & Style that "Eva is resilient....and hurt. But she will overcome the pain of being hurt; she will."

He is certain that she will get through the end of her painful divorce by being strong and gaining support from her friends. Verdi also believes that "she's a great catch in every way, as a friend and a wife!"

Are you contemplating a divorce right now? You need to contact a Los Angeles family law attorney who can tell you about your legal rights. This can be a difficult time for you right now and, along with the support of family and friends, your attorney can protect your legal rights and assets.

The fate of the Dodgers will be decided in 11 days or less when the McCourts should finally come to a settlement. Frank and Jamie have 11 days to consider the final proposal to settle their divorce; Frank has already accepted the proposal but Jamie turned it down on Tuesday.

At this time the couple is waiting for a ruling from the Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon on whether their marital agreement is valid and would provide Frank with complete ownership of the Dodgers.

However, Jamie has asked the judge to throw the agreement out which could leave the question of ownership in the air for the next several years. He has until January 18 to make a ruling on their case.

Peter Lichtman, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, has been working with the couple as a mediator for two months. He recently declared, however, that they were at an impasse and ordered both sides to not discuss the particulars of their settlement proposal right now.

Contact Claery & Green to speak with a Los Angeles divorce attorney if you are facing litigation during the termination of your marriage.

When Eva Longoria, star of "Desperate Housewives", filed for divorce from husband Tony Parker, she indicated that she wishes to receive spousal support from him - but will not pay any to him in return. She is citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their impending divorce. The star filed her papers in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday.

Since her husband is a NBA star with a multi-million dollar contract, as well as many large sponsorships from famous companies, it is likely that her request for spousal support be granted. In addition, she has asked that both she and Parker be responsible for paying their own legal fees.

Their divorce still comes as a shock to those who are close to the couple. Parker and Longoria dated for four years and then married in 2007. Since they have no children together, that could influence whether Longoria's request is granted or denied.

If you are interested in obtaining spousal support during your divorce, you need a Los Angeles divorce lawyer who can help you win your case.  Contact our law firm now!

A surprising new study from the University of Toronto reveals that relates strokes to children of divorce. Researchers found that children who are the product of a divorce are more than twice as likely to have a stroke sometime during their lives when compared to children from non-divorced households. Even when other known contributing factors were added to the research, like smoking, diabetes, and obesity, the facts remained the same.

This study could have great ramifications in showing how a major life event like parent's divorcing could negatively impact your health later on in life. However, researchers from Toronto were quick to add that this doesn't doom children of divorce from having strokes.

The results came from the 2005 Canadian Health Survey that was sent out to more than 13,000 people. Since most strokes occur after the age of 65, most of the applicable respondents would have been born in 1940 or earlier when divorce was more uncommon and thus could have been more traumatic for the respondents.

If you need assistance with a divorce case, contact Claery & Green to get representation from a Los Angeles divorce attorney.

After five years of marriage actress Laura Dern and rocker Ben Harper have decided to seek a divorce. However, the split appears to be friendly at this time, as the pair was spotted out recently with their children last Sunday in Brentwood. It was the Grammy winner that filed for divorce in a Los Angeles court last month, stating that their marriage had reached a point of irreconciliation.

However, Harper has specifically asked the judge to deny his soon-to-be ex-wife Dern spousal support, insisting that the pair split in January.

For the time being Dern and Harper are attempting to maintain a normal lifestyle for their children, Ellery and Jaya, while the divorce is finalized.

If you are considering divorce and want to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of spousal support, contact us to speak with a Los Angeles family lawyer today and get the advice you need during this difficult time.

It is difficult getting adivorce, no matter whether you are a mom or a dad. However, there are some things that dads should know to prepare themselves for this tough time.

You should speak with a Los Angeles family lawyer as soon as possible to protect your fathers' rights in the divorce. At this time, be completely honest with your attorney, as anything that you try to hide from him/her could hurt you later on. Ask your attorney to prepare you for the courtroom and ask him/her any questions you have about upcoming events.

Make sure to involve yourself in your child's life as much as possible. In addition to playtime, take an active role in their schoolwork, parent-teacher conferences, and doctor appointments. This might be a good time to take a parenting class to learn how best to interact with and listen to your child's needs.

Despite any negativity you might feel towards your ex, encourage your child to have a strong relationship with both parents. If you are responsible forchild support, try not to be late with any payments, and always follow court orders, even if you try to fight them later on.

To receive additional guidance, contact our law office to schedule a consultation.

Despite her upcoming divorce from actor Charlie Sheen, Brooke Mueller is looking forward to moving on in her life. Both parties have cited irreconcilable differences as the reason behind their divorce, saying that a fight in Aspen after Christmas Day is when they agreed to separate.

The couple filed separately for divorce petitions in the Los Angeles Superior Court this Monday. Mueller's attorneys worked out a settlement regarding their 19 month old twins where the children will live mostly with her, but still allow Sheen ample visitation rights.

In addition to the regular drama surrounding a celebrity divorce, there is also the matter of Sheen's misdemeanor charge that he finally plead guilty to just recently. Yet Mueller appears to be adjusting well to the separation, even taking the twins out in Los Angeles for Halloween and making time for herself to work out each morning.

 When a divorce is inevitable and custody issues are at stake, don't hesitate to find a Los Angeles divorce attorney.  Contact Claery & Green today!

According to Mark Rappaport, CEO of DivorceToday.com, more Americans have already filed for divorce online in 2010 than in 2009.  This could be due, in part, to the fact that people are starting to feel more financially secure, thus are more willing to file for a divorce. There has been an increase in online orders for marital separation agreements and do-it-yourself divorce kits.

Some, like Rappaport, believe that this is a good sign for the economy, as it shows that people may be becoming more financially stable. During times of economic downturn people are less likely to file for divorce as they attempt to maintain a stable lifestyle, despite having lost feelings for their spouse.

However, the CEO was quick to add that the increase in online order forms was also due an rising acceptance in filing for divorce online. This is particularly in the case of uncontested divorce matters.

If you are going through a difficult divorce, consider getting help from a Los Angeles divorce attorney by contacting our law firm.

Although each divorce case is unique and presents its own issues, all cases fall into one of two categories: no-fault divorce or fault based divorce. Most states have adopted statues that allow couples to file for no-fault divorces, in which neither party is forced to place blame on the other. Instead, couples must show that there is no possible reconciliation for their marriage and divorce is the only option available that both parties are comfortable with.

In situations where couples are forced to or choose to take the fault-based divorce, there is usually a waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. Some common situations where one or both parties seeks to blame the other include adultery, cruelty, desertion, insanity, a physical inability to have intercourse (if not divulged prior to marriage), a long separation, and conviction of a misdemeanor or felony.

In some cases where fault does not affect custody, property settlements, or alimony (spousal maintenance), the divorcing parties may ask the court to expedite the process and remove the waiting period for the divorce. This, however, is not available in all states and is granted on a limited basis.

If you would like to speak to a Los Angeles divorce attorney, contact our law office now.

Ever wonder where the divorce capital of the nation is? The answer is Panama City,Fl., according to a list compiled by the Daily Beast. As a state, Florida has 11 cities out of the top 50, and four out of the top ten, in the country.

Curious about where the highest rates of divorce are in the US, reporter Lauren Streib used two methods to compile the list: the percentage of the population that was recently divorced and the percentage that was already divorced. According to their calculations, 15.5% of Panama City's population falls into these categories.

Speculating on this growing trend in Florida, marriage counselor Dr. Joel Prather spoke about patients who believed that coming to this warm state could, in some way, repair their failing marriage. Other experts believe that people come to Florida for new opportunities or to escape their old lives and, in the process, wind up getting divorced.

If you are going through a tough divorce, contact Claery & Green to get immediate help from a Los Angeles divorce lawyer.

In lieu of the traditional divorce process that can be protracted, painful, and costly, more couples are opting for divorce mediation instead. Rather than hiring two attorneys, the divorcing couple hires one mediator who will help them  come to a settlement regarding their belongings, monetary assets, property, and, if present, their children.

Mediators are not only a more cost-effective solution to divorce proceedings, but also minimize the emotional toll that the separation process can induce on both parties. Just the fact that couple will, on average, save 40 to 60% off the standard cost of filing for a divorce can account for lower stress levels.

Children also fare better during divorce mediation as well, as the parents remain in control of a cooperative plan for parenting. Their children's needs and desires can be discussed during the mediation and resolved through mutual avenues, rather than relying on a judge's ruling. 

Do you have questions about divorce mediation?  If so, contact us today to speak with a Los Angeles divorce attorney.

Just days after announcing that they had separated, it has the reported that the singer Christina Aguilera has filed for a divorce from her husband of five years, Jordan Bratman.

A source close to the couple recently told US magazine that the pair was "just trying to figure things out".  It was also reported that the couple is living separately on a trial basis, but Christina made up her mind quickly and move forward with divorce.

In legal documents obtained by media outlets, Christina sites "irreconcilable differences" and says that she and her husband separated on September 11^th.  There is also an alleged prenuptial agreement and the singer is asking that her "earnings and accumulations" before and during her marriage not be considered marital assets.

Christina is also seeking joint custody of the couple's two-year-old son, Max, and wishes to prohibit her husband from getting alimony.

Are you going through a tough divorce in Los Angeles?  If so, contact Claery & Green today to get help from a Los Angeles divorce attorney.

In Los Angeles, it has been reported that former New Kids on the Block singer, Donnie Wahlberg, has finalized his divorce.

According to court records obtained in Simi Valley, the singer turned actor and his wife of nearly 9 years finalized their divorce on September 28, 2010. 

It is reported that each party filed for divorce on the same day in August 2008 and then proceeded to reach an out-of-court settlement for their divorce.  The proceedings were handled at a Ventura County courthouse northwest of downtown L.A.

The couple shares two sons and was married in 1999. Back in early 2008, they were separated.

If you are going through a divorce in Los Angeles and would like to receive legal representation that you can count on throughout your divorce proceedings, contact Claery & Green today to set up a consultation with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer.  We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you and help you during this difficult time.

This week, it was reported by numerous celebrity news sites that Eddie Cibrian is finally a single man.  The actor is currently dating singer, LeAnn Rimes, and their romance has been publicly broadcast as Cibrian was unfaithful to his former wife, Brandi Granville.

Now, the duo that famously cheated on their spouses, have good news as the divorce between Eddie and his wife is officially final.

Back in 2001, Eddie had married Brandi during an upscale wedding ceremony, which was captured by InStyle Celebrity Wedding magazine.  They then had two sons together, 7 year old Mason and 3 year old Jake.

Initially, Eddie and LeAnn denied cheating on their respective spouses. However, they went public with their romance during the summer of 2009.

Are you going through a difficult divorce in Los Angeles? If so, contact Claery & Green to get help from a Los Angeles divorce attorney as soon as possible.