Divorces among celebrities and public figures are all too common, but their high value estates and prenuptial agreements can make them exceedingly complex. Such is the case in billionaire Ken Griffin’s divorce with his wife Anne Dias Griffin. Anne is challenging the validity of the prenuptial agreement, which was signed on the night before their wedding in 2003, suggesting that she was pressured into signing. According to her claims, Mr. Griffin did not disclose his financial status until just days before the wedding took place.
If the prenup she signed remains effective, Anne Griffin stands to gain $50 million in the divorce. However, if she is able to get the agreement voided, she may be awarded significantly more.
Due to the notoriety of the case, lawyers from all over the nation are weighing in on how the case should be handled. Danielle Mayoras, a chief estate law attorney and shareholder at Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras, provides her expertise to Wall Street Journal’s recent piece on the subject.
Danielle says to the Journal,
“Both individuals should have their own lawyers to oversee the negotiations and review the document. You cannot use the same lawyer and have one person protect both people.”
She goes on with more detail, saying,
“If you don’t know the other party’s assets, you cannot fully agree to the prenup because you don’t have all of the information that you need to make an educated decision. The law always looks for a fair, arm’s-length transaction.”
With the prenup agreement signed at the last minute, just hours before the couple took the plunge, the case is looking to shape up in the favor of Anne Dias Griffin. However, the final verdict still remains to be seen.
Read the Wall Street Journal’s full length article to learn more about the Ken Griffin Divorce case.