If you're seeking divorce advice in Pasadena, you may be wondering about spousal support. Spousal support is one of modern divorce's hot-button issues and one we see in the headlines all of the time. Just last week, former California governor and Terminator star Arnold Schwartzenegger made news when he indicated in court papers that he did not want his wife of 25 years, Maria Shriver, to receive spousal support. The star received harsh criticism from Shriver supporters, who claim spousal support is the least he could do after fathering a child with the family's housekeeper.
Yet just days later, Schwarzenegger filed additional paperwork which amended the original filing and stated he will pay spousal support as well as for Shriver's legal counsel. Now everybody in Tinsel Town is wondering why the notoriously tough and frugal action star suddenly had a change of heart.
The new filing states that Schwarzenegger no longer wishes to financially cut-off Shriver, who by all accounts is a wealthy woman in her own right. Many think Arnold's change of heart may have to do with reinventing a much maligned image.
"From a publicity standpoint, it was a dumb move," says Paul Talbert, a New York City divorce attorney in an interview with Time magazine. "Given who he is and what he's done, I think he wanted to make sure that his public image was not tarnished further. He appeared as if he was being cheap or not being generous with Maria Shriver given everything that's transpired between the two of them."
Others speculate that the new filing is a sign of things to come in the divorce proceedings of Shriver and Schwarzenegger. Sources close to the couple say that the pair is committed to making the divorce move as quickly and painlessly as possible. The amended paperwork also includes Schwarzenegger's request for joint custody of their two minor sons, Christopher, 13, and Patrick, 17. Finally, some say the initial denial for spousal support was a simple mistake. TMZ.com is reporting Schwarzenegger didn't bother to carefully review the paperwork wherein his lawyer had tried to squash both of Maria's financial requests.