Learning lessons about divorce in the new year
At the beginning of a new year, it is quite common for people to make resolutions to be happier, healthier and more fulfilled. For many people, this means ending a broken or toxic relationship with their spouse.
Going through a divorce can be one of the most difficult events in a person’s life, and most people would try to do just about anything to avoid going through it more than once. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that any relationship will last, no matter how many times a person — or a couple — has been divorced. For example, recently it was reported that the high-profile inventor and businessman Elon Musk has filed for divorce from his wife for a second time.
Sources state that Musk and his wife divorced for the first time in 2012. The split didn’t last long, and the following year the pair got remarried and remained together for about 18 more months. On New Year’s Eve, however, Musk filed for divorce again.
Thankfully for both parties, this second split appears to be fairly amicable. They had a prenuptial agreement in place which addressed how their property would be divided, and Musk has already agreed to pay his soon-to-be-ex $16 million in a settlement.
What this story can teach us is that it is good to be prepared for the worst in a relationship. As we mentioned above, there is no guarantee that a marriage will last forever, and being prepared by having a plan in place can be an effective way to protect each individual and his or her assets.
This story can also be a reminder that divorce is not always a one-time occurrence. Some people will get divorced twice, three times or even more. And while there are lessons that can be learned in each case, every divorce and every couple is different. Whether a person is getting divorced for the first time or third time, it can be crucial to have legal support in order to address and resolve the unique complications that can come up.
Source: Financial Post, “Tesla’s Elon Musk divorces actress wife for second time, givers her US $16-million in settlement,” Bill Gardner, Jan. 2, 2015