New Hampshire readers may have already heard that American business magnate and software developer Bill Gates recently posted an announcement on Twitter that shocked the world. Gates stated that he and his wife of 27 years, Melinda Gates, have filed for divorce. Being that Gates is listed as the second wealthiest man in the world behind Amazon icon Jeff Bezos, the Gates divorce will obviously involve high-asset property issues.
No prenup, but a separation agreement has been signed
There have been numerous celebrity divorces in the past that have dragged on for months in court. The Gates, however, have reportedly already resolved the issues between them without litigation. They have, instead, signed a separation agreement.
The Gates have 3 children
An attorney who has handled many celebrity divorces in the past said other couples considering filing divorce can learn a lot from the Gates case. He noted that they have shown it is possible to amicably resolve all issues without becoming entangled in a court battle. Court documents show that Melinda Gates has not requested spousal support nor child support but has asked the court to accept the separation agreement that specifies the terms of the divorce.
Melinda Gates filed a temporary financial restraint order
While she may have not sought financial support from her former husband, Melinda Gates did file a financial restraint order, which is customary and automatically limits property disposal and changes to insurance policies to agreed-upon terms or court orders. Any New Hampshire spouse concerned about financial issues in divorce may request a meeting with an experienced family court attorney to discuss the matter. Whether settling a divorce in or out of court, it is helpful to rely on experienced legal representation to ensure that one’s financial interests are protected.