Clients seeking a legal separation in Pasadena often wonder how long it will take to file for divorce and how long they should wait. The answer? It's different for every couple. Some couples, like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, use a separation to try to resolve issues in hopes of reconciling. Others like singer Seal and supermodel Heidi Klum are separated for a short period of time before making it official. And for that celebrity couple, things got really interesting once the divorce papers were filed.
Over the weekend, Project Runway host Heidi Klum officially filed for divorce from her estranged pop star husband Seal. The pair separated back in January; rumors of a reconciliation were squashed when Klum's legal team filed paperwork on Friday in Los Angeles court. Klum cites irreconcilable differences and is seeking sole physical custody of the pair's four children. Under this proposal, Seal would be granted visitation and joint legal custody. Seal, in a surprise move, fired back with papers of his own the following Tuesday. According to his response, Seal wants joint physical custody of the children.
Seal also claims, despite a rumored postnuptial agreement, the couple has "community and quasi community assets" that need to be divided. There's a ton of money potentially at stake here with Klum bringing in around $70 million a year and Seal netting about $15 million. Seal also wants to deny Klum any spousal support and she wishes to do the same according, to her divorce papers. Back in January, the couple vowed to handle their divorce maturely and quickly for the sake of their children. But given recent developments, we've probably only seen the beginning of this legal drama.
Seal and Klum were married in 2005 on a beach in Mexico near Seal's home on Costa Careyes. The pair famously renewed their vows annually in highly-publicized themed ceremonies. In her divorce papers, Klum lists January 19th, 2012 as the date of separation.