As reported by the Huffington Post, billionaire Rupert Murdoch is divorcing his wife of 14 years, Wendi Deng Murdoch, stating that the marriage has become irretrievably broken and without listing any details of wrongdoing.
The document starting the divorce action was filed in New York under the state's no-fault law. Experts commented that Murdoch has a set of both pre and postnuptial agreements in place – paving the way for a swift divorce.
John Vassallo, an attorney that has represented both rocker Mick Jagger and film actor Harvey Keitel in their divorces commented, "While she might try to get more money somehow, and he might be willing to give it to her because he's got so much money, it seems to me she's bound by all those agreements."
Attorney Ira Garr is representing Murdoch in the divorce. Speculators believe Garr was hired as he is friendly with Deng's attorney Pamela Sloan. In the past Garr has represented Ivana Trump in her divorce from Donald Trump.
Pamela Sloan's firm represented Katie Holmes in her divorce from Tom Cruise. Both Garr and Sloan have reputations for settling divorces with little publicity. Vassallo added, "Pam is not somebody to call up the New York Post."
Murdoch and Deng have two daughters aged 11 and 9. While the state can easily grant a divorce, the couple still must work out the ownership of their New York apartment as well as child custody and child support. At press time Deng had not commented on the divorce filing. Murdoch's spokesman, Steven Rubenstein, also had no remarks for the press.
William Zabel, and expert on prenuptial agreements noted, "New York is very favorable toward enforcing pre-nups." Sloan represented Deng when she signed the couple's prenuptial agreement in 1999. A person with knowledge of the case said that the couple signed post-nuptial agreements in 2002 and 2004.
Miami lawyer Jason Marks, who represented baseball player Alex Rodriguez in his divorce, said that even with the agreements in place it can happen that "one wants something the other doesn't want to give."
The couple's daughters have stakes in the family trust that holds their father's share of News Corp. However, they have no voting rights. Murdoch's four adult children, from his two previous marriages, have voting rights in News Corp. Deng has no stock or voting shares, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Attorney Daniel Jaffe represented Murdoch's wife Anna when their 30 yearlong marriage ended. Jaffe said the hoped that the current divorce would be handled "as amicably as the last divorce and settlement was done." Though the previous union failed to include a prenuptial agreement, according to Jaffe, "we finished that divorce in 10 to 11 months. We had no court appearances. Everything was disclosed amicably."
If you are headed toward divorce, with or without a prenuptial agreement in place, contact a family law attorney to assist you right away.