You may have read in the news recently about Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s bitter custody battle over their 15 year old son Rocco. Despite being ordered by the courts to move to New York to live with his mother, he has refused to leave his father’s London home, which has resulted in an ensuing public and pricey legal battle with social media users revelling in the drama.
The material girl isn’t the first famous face to fight an expensive divorce and child custody battle in the public eye. Here are a few of the most expensive and most well-known custody cases of all time.
Kelly Rutherford’s International Case
US actress Kelly Rutherford had a very public case with her entrepreneur ex-husband Daniel Giersch. A judge in Monaco recently ruled that the children will remain in Europe with their father at all times, despite their mother living in New York.
Eight year old Hermes and six year old Helena, have lived with their father since 2012 after their parents’ four year marriage broke down in 2010. Yet, after spending last summer in the US with their mother, the children were not returned home as Rutherford feared she ‘may never see them again’ due to an ongoing custody battle.
It was this action that led to the judge’s decision to prevent Rutherford from flying her children out to America for visits in the future. And has resulted in the ongoing case costing more than £2million. As Rutherford puts it, “it cost me everything I’ve ever made”.
Mel Gibson’s Mistress and Ex-Wife
Mel Gibson is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to his private life. In 2006, Gibson and his wife, Robyn Moore Gibson, separated after more than two decades together, but it wasn’t until 2009 that the pair filed for divorce.
Just two weeks later, Gibson was seen on the red carpet with new love Oksana Grigorieva who was pregnant with his child. Less than a year later Grigorieva accused Gibson of physical abuse and a heated legal exchange took place.
After months of legal discussions, the couple agreed on an out-of-court settlement, however the fight between these scorned lovers didn’t end there. Grigorieva made new accusations and Gibson replied with extortion accusations. Restraining orders were handed out, but the 50/50 custody agreement remained, along with an agreement for Gibson to pay his ex $750,000 (£520,000) over five years, plus child support, and to allow her to live in one of his properties.
This, alongside his divorce and custody battle over his seven children with his ex-wife, is rumoured to have cost Gibson more than $425million (£295million).
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills' Battle of Words
Divorcing a Beatle was always going to be an expensive legal exchange, but what complicated things in this case was the custody argument over their daughter Beatrice.
Insults were thrown, along with allegations of Mills being an ex-call girl and McCartney being ‘abusive’, however, in the end joint custody was granted. The divorce cost McCartney £33.8million, plus ongoing child support costs.
Contact Howells Solicitors for Family Law Advice
If you’re experiencing your own family difficulties and require legal advice regarding a divorce and/or child custody, our friendly and experienced solicitors can help. We understand this is a difficult time for you, so get the support you need by calling us free on 0808 178 2773 for your initial consultation.
