Murdoch divorce case may become contentious

When a divorce becomes contentious, it can sometimes mean being involved in a lengthy trial divorce. Depending on how quickly the issues can be resolved, a divorce by trial can be done without extravagant costs. However, if major issues cannot be resolved quickly, contentious trial divorces can oftentimes become expensive, potentially more-so when considering the potential loses an individual might face from an unwanted decision.

Many Bay Staters may have heard of the divorce between media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his third wife, Wendi Deng. While many assumed that their divorce proceedings would likely occur without major complications, it appears that this might not be the case. Reports are now saying that Wendi Deng has hired lawyers from a major firm know for representing women in high profile divorce cases.

While a spokesperson for Deng has not made comment on the move, it is widely speculated that this may indicate future disputes over property division. This was previous thought unlikely due to the existence of pre and post nuptial agreements, particularly in a state where prenuptial agreements tend to be followed rigidly.

While it is true that prenuptial agreements typically make it more difficult for disputes to occur during a divorce, they do not make it impossible. There are many reasons why a person may be able to argue a prenuptial agreement should not be fully enforced, such as whether or not it was signed with full awareness of an individual's assets, or if it was entered into under questionable circumstances. Those seeking to set aside a prenuptial agreement could benefit from discussing the issue with a legal expert.

Source: Reuters, "Murdoch's wife hires new lawyer in divorce case: New York Times," July 30, 2013