Brad and Angelina – Lessons to be learned
We found out in the middle of September that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were separating after a 10 year relationship. Brad and Angelina married on the 23rd August 2014 but their relationship of 10 years has resulted in them parenting six children. It would appear that despite good intentions initially, the fur is starting to fly already. On a quick look through the papers on the 27th September 2016, Brad Pitt’s “other woman” hits back after being dragged in to the divorce storm. Angelina Jolie filed on the basis of “irreconcilable differences”. The law in the US regarding divorce is different to that in England. In England and Wales, the Divorce Petition has to be issued on the basis of the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship which then has to be supported by five facts:-
- The husband/wife has behaved in a way that you consider to be unreasonable.
- The husband/wife has committed adultery.
- The husband/wife has deserted you (you have to have been separated for a period of 2 years)
- You have been separated for 2 years and both of you consent to the divorce.
- You have been separated for a period of 5 years.
Sadly, England and Wales have not yet introduced “no fault” divorce.
It appears that Brad and Angelina have tried to keep the children out of the position with all good intentions but sadly, there is such a media storm that this is unlikely to happen.
The Court in England and Wales have been talking for many years about introducing no fault divorce. Vicky Medd is a specialist accredited Resolution member and Johanna Allen is a member of Resolution. It is at the top of Resolution’s agenda this year to try and lobby government to secure no fault divorce.
Vicky Medd confirmed “I have recently conducted a mediation where both couples wanted to divorce on as amicable a basis as possible. They both sensibly put the children first and had shared care. They both said that they would have found it extremely difficult to try and co-parent if the allegations in the Divorce Petition were too serious. As a result, I was able to mediate with the couple to get a form of agreed wording which they were both reasonably content with. This means that discussions were had beforehand and the shock of receiving a Divorce Petition will be completely negated”. For more information about advice for family matters and for mediation, please contact Vicky Medd on 01484 538421
