Family Law Blog

Going Public: High Profile Divorces

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on March 11, 2009

For most people who file for divorce in Colorado, the thought of how family and friends will react can be as frightening and stressful as the actual divorce proceedings. Imagine how much bigger the stakes become for public figures involved in a divorce.

Fear of public disclosure associated with divorce proceedings can be used to speed settlements. For example, Steven Steinberg, a Hamptons divorce attorney, speculated in a 2008 New York Times story that the much publicized open court divorce between Christie Brinkley and architect Peter Cook may have been an attempt by Brinkley’s legal team to leverage a settlement in her favor.

The Times article goes on to mention that the legal tactic, while successful at achieving the goal of obtaining child custody for Ms. Brinkley of the children involved in the marriage, may have cost the former super model some degree of local good will. This illustrates one of the potential pitfalls in a high profile divorce that goes public—even a win can hurt. For celebrities and public figures, the revelations that may be aired in public could damage a carefully constructed public image, or even damage a promising career.

When public figures divorce, it may add layers of complication to volatile situations even long after the dust from the divorce has settled. For example, in December 2008, the New York Times pointed out in an article the uncharacteristic “brevity” of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo concerning the speculation about who would be appointed to Senator Hillary Clinton’s seat upon her confirmation as Secretary of State.

Cuomo, normally outspoken about political matters, had made his intentions for the seat clear—overly clear to some according to the Times article—only to pull back in his press for the appointment when former in-law Caroline Kennedy began to jockey for the position. Cuomo acrimoniously divorced a cousin of Kennedy’s in 2003, and the Times article speculates that Cuomo’s sudden reluctance to speak out on his desire for the seat, or on Caroline Kennedy’s fitness for the appointment may stem from fallout from the divorce.

Divorce takes a toll on everyone, whether a high profile politician, or a down-to-earth citizen. These high profile divorce cases only serve to remind us of the emotional and financial costs of divorce.  If you are filing for a divorce, trust the skilled Colorado divorce lawyers at Kaplan Law. Call us today for a free consultation.