Johnny Depp and Amber Heard divorce finalized

On Jan. 13, the divorce of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was finalized in a California courtroom. During the contentious process, Heard alleged spousal abuse while associates of Depp have denied it and claimed that Heard was only trying to gain a financial advantage.

Heard, who filed for divorce on May 15, 2016, said Depp had been abusive throughout their marriage. In May, she said that he broke items in her apartment and threw a cellphone at her face. Although Heard filed a temporary restraining order against him, in the divorce settlement, she withdrew her request for a continued restraining order. Heard also agreed to withdraw a defamation suit she had filed against the comedian Doug Stanhope, a friend of Depp’s, who wrote an article claiming Heard used manipulation and blackmail against Depp.

Heard says she will donate the $7 million that Depp was ordered to pay her to charity. She will also keep the couple’s two dogs. Depp will keep the dozens of vehicles he owns and property including one private island and homes in Paris and Los Angeles. However, Depp did plan to sell some property to pay Heard. He will pay the total amount within the year.

Even in the divorce of a couple who has fewer assets, one party might be worried about how much they will be required to pay the other while the other might be concerned about support. This may be particularly true if one individual has not worked outside the home. Sometimes, the spouse who has been the breadwinner will be required to pay support to the other party while that individual trains for a new job. This can often be worked out in a settlement negotiated by the estranged couple with the help of their respective family law attorneys.

Source: Reuters, “Actors Johnny Depp, Amber Heard finalize bitter divorce,” Piya Sinha-Roy, Jan. 13, 2017