NJ Family Law Attorneys

Television audiences know Vicki Gunvalson as one of the original “Real Housewives” reality show cast members. Her divorce from Donn Gunvalson was not at all surprising to avid viewers of the series. The couple married in 1994. When celebrating their anniversary in 2009, the Gunvalsons opted for a ceremony to renew their vows. Just a year later, Vicky filed for divorce. The strain on her marriage was witnessed by anyone watching the “Real Housewives” series even only sporadically. By her own admission, Vicky had not paid a lot of attention to Donn; her television success had caused her insurance business to take off, which led to on-air musings about being single once more. Not surprisingly, these types of revelations were just beginning of divorce rumors. Even Vicky acknowledges that she might have betrayed the trust between the two of them by airing her thoughts and attitudes so publically. By the time that season six of her reality show was ready to air its finale, the marriage was kaput. Nevertheless, as late as June 2011, the reality show actress confided that she was open to reconciliation with Donn -- even though it was she who filed the divorce papers. Donn was not making the same types of overtures. In fact, Vicky has bitterly complained that her husband was willing to let her go. Any talk of reconciliation was purely academic, of course, considering that Vicky has already been seen dating someone else. While the ink was not yet dry on her divorce decree, the reality show star began dating Brooks Ayers.

James Marsden, who plays Cyclops in the X-Men movies, and who has appeared in a number of other films, has been served divorce papers by his wife, Lisa Linde. Linde has acted primarily in television, including Days of Our Lives, Pacific Blue, and the TV movie The Darkling. Normally, a story of two Hollywood celebs divorcing isn't worth much more than a shrug and a “ho-hum.” Marsden and Linde, however, didn't have a fly-by-night marriage. Furthermore, they were not one another's second or third spouses. Rather, this Hollywood couple had almost a dozen years of married life together under their belt, along with two elementary-aged children. The reason for the divorce? Sorry to disappoint – there doesn't appear to be any Ashton-Demi type of marital infidelity or other Hollywood drama going on here. Lisa Linde cited the ever-vague “irreconcilable differences.” Reps say that the decision to divorce was a mutual one. As for the kids, sources close to the couple claim that the two remain committed to raising their children together, as reflected by the joint custody arrangement they've worked out. Sources also say that Marsden and Linde remain close friends. In fact, as far as Hollywood celebrity divorces go, it seems that this particular divorce is surprisingly free from messy he-said, she-said dirty laundry. It doesn't seem to be a story destined for tabloids; it seems to be destined only for a short acknowledgment by gossip rags, then it will quietly fizzle away as two people and their children try to move on with their lives.

Ruben Studdard and Surata Zuri McCants are getting a divorce! Audiences know Ruben Studdard as the second season winner of the widely popular television show “American Idol.” Crooning his way into living rooms and capturing the admiration of the judges and a critical audience, his meteoric rise to fame was unstoppable. Now the audience learns that Studdard and wife McCants have filed for divorce. What happened? Nicknamed the “Velvet Teddy Bear,” Studdard’s smooth R&B tones melted the hearts of his audiences, including McCants’. The couple met at his Wal-Mart CD signing in October 2006 and wed in June 2008. It was clear from the beginning that Studdard was smitten by McCants and pursued her with uncharacteristic boldness. Even so, by November 2011 Studdard’s attorney released a generic statement informing fans and paparazzi alike that the couple had separated and was in the process of a divorce proceeding. While speculation is ripe over the reasons for the split, the officially cited rationale for the divorce is the usual boilerplate of “irreconcilable differences.” Both parties have remained quiet about the discussions that went on behind closed doors. The only indication of the problems leading up to the divorce comes from the fact that Studdard filled the paperwork as petitioner. Whereas wagging tongues suggested that McCants might have decided to hit the road after Studdard’s fame and fortune were slow in growing, reality shows her in a different – and much better – light. Until the marriage is officially dissolved, speculation over the split will continue. Here is to hoping that Ruben Studdard and Surata Zuri McCants perhaps rethink their divorce and give reconciliation a chance.

Kate del Castillo, star of “Without Men” and “La Reina del Sur,” has recently announced her divorce from fellow Mexican film star Aaron Diaz. Both popular actors have had increasingly heavy work schedules, resulting in large segments of time spent on location and away from each other. Neither has shown anything but respect and friendship for the other since their July breakup. In both interviews and on social networking sites since the divorce was announced, the former couple has said nothing but positive comments about each other. Del Castillo finds the media coverage of their breakup disappointing. The possibility of infidelity has been the focus of most media stories. If either was seen with a friend, rumors circulated that they were having affairs. She insists that nothing bad occurred in their marriage. They simply moved in different directions. The couple was married in 2009 in Las Vegas after a two-year, sporadic relationship. They had a second ceremony a week later in San Miguel de Allende. Del Castillo and Diaz star in both films and telenovelas. In addition, Diaz performs as a singer and hopes to devote time to a hip-hop album. Although the couple denied problems with their marriage for months before the divorce was announced, conflicts resulting from their demanding work schedules had them spending more and more time apart. Kate’s father indicated concern just prior to the breakup, stating that their marriage was not like others due to the amount of time they spent apart. Perhaps maintaining a marriage was simply too difficult for the busy stars.

From 2003 until 2011, Mark Sanford held office as the 115th South Carolina governor. His tenure was marred by revelations of an extramarital affair and subsequent divorce from Jenny Sanford, his wife of almost 20 years. Adultery was at the heart of the political power couple’s split. In fact, Jenny Sanford cited unfaithfulness as her reason for divorce in the court filing. There is no denying that Gov. Sanford engaged in extramarital affairs. Freely admitting to having crossed numerous lines that a married man should not consider coming near, one such relationship in particular resulted in a short disappearance and eventual outing. Rather than helping to preserve her husband’s waning political career, Mrs. Sanford focused her energies on raising the couple’s children. The former governor received legislative censure but seemed content to finish out his terms, get a divorce and return to his mistress. As Sanford perfected the art of dodging cameras in the aftermath of the divorce, the former first lady of South Carolina chose to pen her memoirs. Front and center were the events leading up to Mark’s unfaithfulness, subsequent confessions and also revelations. Yet instead of being bitter and angry, she highlighted that the lack of moral clarity and honesty did not have to be permanent -- even as it was too late for the couple’s marriage to overcome the damage done to it. Mind you, Jenny Sanford never came across as a shrinking violet. Even with her marriage ending and divorce proceedings ongoing, she projected an air of calm assertiveness that struck a chord with women. The last time we heard of about post-divorce Mark Sanford, he was seen with his mistress. Go figure.