Most people in Virginia who have gone through a divorce would likely claim that, although the process can be difficult, it was in their best interest to choose that path. While there are some couples who may be able to come to an agreement without asking the court to intervene, there are others who will need that intervention. For example, a family court recently ordered former NBA player Keven Garnett to pay $100,000 a month in child and spousal support.
Garnett’s estranged wife filed for divorce earlier this year. In her filing, she asked for physical custody of their children. Additionally, she asked for $146,000 in spousal support and $46,000 for child support, claiming that she will have the children 95% of the time. Garnett was recently ordered to pay $100,000 total each month until a permanent deal can be made.
The couple reportedly signed a prenuptial agreement prior to their marriage. Though Garnett claims that his wife is not entitled to spousal support under the terms of the agreement, she argues that it is unconscionable and that he has violated its terms. Specifically, she claims he was required to fund a joint account that would be split evenly if they separated. While she believes that account should have $12 million in it, she argues that he failed to appropriately fund it and the account is nearly empty.
While an individual case likely has unique aspects that could benefit from the assistance of an experienced professional, disputes regarding prenuptial agreements and child and spousal support decisions can be complex. Often, those seeking a divorce in Virginia may not think to challenge the validity of a prenup. However, doing so in some cases may be appropriate if one party feels that the terms are unfair or the other party failed to meet them.