Country music power couple Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton have announced they will be divorcing.
Shelton and Lambert Divorce
After four years of marriage, the golden couple of country, Miranda Lambert, 31, and Blake Shelton, 39, have made plans to divorce.
“This is not the future we envisioned,” their representatives said via statement. “And it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter.”
Relationship
The two met in 2005 at a CMT concert taping when they performed together. They were married in 2011 in Boerne, Texas.
In 2010, Lambert told USA Today, “We’re both in the public eye, so it’s kind of a two-for-one deal. Usually, when somebody talks about one, they talk about the other.”
In 2012, the pair won song of the year awards from both the CMA and the Academy of Country Music for Over You, a song they wrote together about the death of Shelton’s brother.
Shelton became a judge on The Voice in 2011, and Lambert won a Grammy for best country album for Platinum earlier this year.
In a recent interview with Marie Claire, the “Gunpowder and Lead” singer spoke about her relationship with Shelton, saying, “I’m not sunshine and roses. Blake’s the happiest person on the planet. He pulls me out of my darkness… Literally, everything is the best about being married.”
Rumors of Trouble
They’re also not strangers to the rumor mill that often swirls around celebrity couples. In the past they have adamantly denied rumors of cheating or marital trouble, while also making light of the reports via Twitter. In 2013, when a tabloid magazine questioned the stability of the two’s marriage, Shelton tweeted Lambert, saying, “I just read in a tabloid that our marriage is falling apart!” Lambert replied via Twitter with: “Oh no! Can’t wait to read if we make it or not.”
According to sources close to the couple, a pre-nuptial agreement is in place. She will retain ownership of the marital home in Nashville, and he will get their Oklahoma ranch.
When USA Today asked about the status of her marriage last year, Lambert said, “I’m happy. You’ll have to ask Blake how he feels.”
Reasons for Divorce
Though it’s unclear the exact reason for Shelton and Lambert’s divorce, they have said in the past that it’s hard for them to find time for each other with their busy schedules. Just like any other couple, there are numerous reasons for why a marriage would turn to divorce, including: financial pressure, loss of individual identities, lack of intimacy, infidelity, and the inability to see eye-to-eye.
Whatever your reason for divorce, there are steps you will need to take to obtain one.
Divorce
The steps for obtaining a divorce are dependent on the particulars of your relationship. The dissolution of a marriage in which the parties have been married for a short period of time, have no children, and little property or debts will most likely be less involved than a divorce where the couple has been married for a long period of time, shares minor children, or where there is significant property or debt to be divided. The question of if both parties are seeking the divorce will also determine the ease at which the couple is granted that divorce. A partner not wanting the divorce might respond in a way that allows them to prolong the process. If a couple can both agree to the divorce the process can be much smoother and quicker. This also applies to the agreement process because if a couple is bogged down with fighting and disagreements over everything, the process will be much slower.
Petitioning for Divorce
To start the divorce process one of the spouses must file a petition. Even if both spouses are in agreement, one of them will have to file a petition with the court asking for the divorce. This petition states the grounds for the divorce. These vary from state to state. California is a no-fault state, meaning no fault is placed on either party regardless of infidelity, etc… All jurisdictions allow for some type of no-fault grounds such as “irreconcilable differences.” Some states will consider fault grounds for divorce, such as adultery or abandonment. Your family law attorney will be able to advise you on if fault grounds are available in your state, and if so, whether or not it makes sense to file for divorce on fault grounds.
Temporary Orders for Support and Custody
If one spouse is seeking financial support or custody of children, that spouse will need to ask the court for temporary orders for support and custody. A temporary order is usually granted within a few days of the initial petition. It remains in effect until the full divorce court hearing. If the party seeking the temporary order is the same party who is filing the petition, it’s advised that they file both the divorce petition and the temporary order at the same time. If you are not the party that filed the divorce petition but will be looking for temporary support or child support, it’s advised that you file your request for the temporary order as soon as possible.
Proof of Service and Response
When a party files for divorce they also need to file for a proof of service of process. This document proves that a copy of the divorce petition was given to the other party. This can be done through a process server, or by a lawyer. There are numerous ways to do this and you’ll want to consult a lawyer for advice on how to do this. If the parties mutually agree on the divorce, it is best for the party who files the complaint to arrange for service of process to the other party’s attorney.
Once the party receives the service of process they will need to file a response to the petition. In states where fault grounds can be filed and the responding party wants to dispute those grounds, he or she needs to address it in the response. They are able to dispute the facts alleged in the grounds for divorce. Additionally, if the party disagrees with property division, support, custody, or any other issue, this should be set out in the response.
Negotiation
When two divorcing spouses disagree on issues they must come to an agreement that settles their differences. Often times this is done through mediation. During this process every aspect of a marriage is resolved: child custody and visitation, child support, property division and any spousal support. Working with a mediation lawyer can help you receive the settlement you are seeking when it comes to dissolving your marriage. It’s within your best interest to try and resolve all these issues outside of court. This will cut down on legal fees, time spent arguing, and any headaches that can come with trying to go back and forth to find an agreeable settlement. Any issues left undecided during the mediation process will have to be decided at a trial.
Order of Dissolution
Once everything is decided upon an order of dissolution is set forth. This document spells out how the property and debts are to be divided, what child custody and visitation schedule is, what support payments (spousal and child) need to be paid, and any other issues. If the parties are able to negotiate their own resolution to all of the issues, their lawyers will draft the order of dissolution and submit it to the court. If the Order of Dissolution complies with legal requirements and both parties entered into it knowingly and willingly and can attest to it, then the judge approves it. This means the divorce is finalized. If these issues cannot be resolved then a couple will have to go through divorce court and have a judge decide on the aspects of the marriage dissolution. Once that is decided an Order of Dissolution is the end result of the trial.
Working with a Divorce Attorney
Regardless of fame or fortune, divorce is a difficult process, but one that can be aided by the help of a divorce attorney. There are many aspects of a marriage that must be decided, including child custody, marital property, and alimony. Working with a divorce attorney is a way to make the process smoother. If you’re considering divorce, you should also consider a divorce attorney like the ones at Law Offices of Korol and Velen, Certified Family Law Specialists.