Our Pittsburgh Family Lawyers have experience with handling both high-profile and everyday divorces. As our office has learned, the Hollywood lifestyle may differ quite a bit from our reality, but getting divorced is a common experience shared celebrities and non-celebrities alike. Unfortunately, divorce does not discriminate and like any breakup, a celebrity divorce can either be handled in a civil manner or devolve into a destructive mess. Although celebrities face the added struggle of keeping their divorce drama away from the prying eyes of the media, keeping the pain private and civil is good practice for any divorce. The media may not like it, but low conflict – and a low profile – is what’s best, especially for children.
Whether it’s a celebrity divorce or Mr. and Mrs. Smith next door, children of divorce turn out best when the conflict is kept contained. An example of one celebrity couple that tried, but ultimately failed, to contain the conflict is Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry. The couple’s breakup was initially a civil one. Aubry was reported saying of Berry, “She is, and will forever be, one of the most special and beautiful people that I have ever known, and I am certain that we will continue to have only love and respect for one another.” But, because of their bitter custody battle over their four year old daughter, Nahla, the media later had a field day reporting on the couple’s turmoil, as both parties openly discussed their contempt for the other.
It is the children who are caught in the middle of the divorce drama that get the short end of the stick. Children who witness their parents’ battles begin to regard instability and animosity as the norm. But it is possible to contain the craziness. For example, Friends star Courtney Cox successfully managed to keep her divorce from soon-to-be ex-husband, David Arquette private and amicable. Of the few details that became public, we learned that the couple agreed on a joint physical and legal custody over their 8-year-old daughter, Coco and that Cox petitioned the court to drop Arquette’s last name. The pair wisely kept the details of their relationship, and their break-up, to themselves. Cox has even been reported as saying that she and David continue to be “best friends.” The couple’s cooperation surely illustrates a positive role model for their daughter, whom the couple is committed to providing a nurturing and loving environment.