South Carolina Criminal Lawyer Blog

It has recently been reported that Guy Ritchie and Madonna have reached an agreement in their divorce. They did not have a prenuptial agreement and it was first thought that their divorce could be as bitter as Heather Mills and Paul McCartney, Madonna even hired McCartney's attorney, however, the couple has managed to come to an agreement rather quickly.

Although the couple has resolved their divorce, Ritchie may have been able to allege adultery in his complaint as the reason for the couple's divorce due to allegations that Madonna had an affair with Alex Rodriguez. In order to prove adultrey in South Carolina, the pleading party must show opportunity and inclination, however, the party alleging adultery does not have to prove that the cheating spouse actually had sexual intercourse with another person. It is common for the pleading party to prove adultery through the testimony of a private investigator.

However, based on recent reports, Madonna and Guy Ritchie's divorce is uncontested and has settled almost immediately by an agreement. Madonna will keep the bulk of her estate, while Ritchie will gain roughly 60 million in assets, including a London pub, an estate in london and a monetary sum. The monetary sum may be construed as alimony, on other words a lump sum. In South Carolina, a party can ask for temporary alimony, permanent and periodic alimony, or a lump sum.

If Madonna and Ritchie resided in South Carolina and they were seeking a no fault divorce, they would have to be separated continuously for a year before their divorce would be granted. Fault grounds include habitual drunkeness, physical cruelty, adultery and abandonment.

It has not been reported how the parties came to an agreement regarding the children, including child custody, child support, and visitation. The parties have not disclosed this information, however, one party will be the primary custodial parent and the other party will have visitation and may have joint custody.