Anthony Anderson's recent $240,000 a year alimony payment sparked questions. TheGrio has answers.
Some eyes widened and jaws dropped when news of Anthony Anderson's nearly quarter-million dollar child support payment recently made headlines. It's not the $100 million in spousal support that Dr. Dre paid. But lots of zeros in celebrity divorces often raise a lot of questions – like, “Was there a prenuptial agreement?” “Why that particular amount?” And depending on how big it is, every now and then the question comes up: ” What do you need all this for?”
The answers are never up to the public, but that doesn't stop people from asking. That's why theGrio spoke with attorney Ashley McKnight, whose practice areas include spousal support, divorce and family law.
First, alimony and spousal support are the same thing. These are payments that the court orders one spouse to make to the other after a divorce or during a separation. The spouse could make one-off lump sum payments or installments. And secondly, even though Ye encouraged people, “Holla, we want a prenuptial agreement!” We want a prenuptial agreement. “…unless you're a punk,” a prenup doesn't provide the ironclad protection some people might think.
Actor in a Comedy Series nominee Anthony Anderson arrives with his wife at the 70th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images)
Future earnings, individual state laws, health conditions, higher education, earning potential and other circumstances can all negate spousal support terms in a prenuptial agreement, McKnight explained.
It is unknown whether Anderson and his former wife Alvina Stewart were married, but details of the divorce agreement are an example of how future earnings can affect spousal support. Currently, Anderson pays $20,000 a month in spousal support. Those payments could potentially increase if his gross income exceeds $2 million, theGrio previously reported.
McKnight, who practices in Mississippi, said each state approaches alimony differently, but there are general factors that influence the court's decision, including income and how much money each person has left after their bills are paid.
For example: “How big is the discrepancy between the [spouses’] Income?… How much does the husband earn? And how much does he have left for going out? The same goes for the wife… and let's say she has some left over at the end of the month after her expenses have been paid, but the husband doesn't. [So the court] will split that difference to some extent, but not necessarily 50/50.”
Courts also take into account earning potential. If one spouse has a college degree and the other has a postdoctoral degree, a judge might find that one has higher earning potential than the other, she said. And if a spouse is ill or has a disability that limits the ability to work, that is a factor the court will consider when awarding alimony, McKnight explained.
These are also some of the circumstances that can invalidate a marriage, McKnight said.
“At the time of signing a prenuptial agreement, the parties have a certain position, whether it is a financial position, whether it is a position in terms of their health or their earning capacity,” she said. “At the time of the divorce proceedings, things could change…” If the situation and these alimony factors change, despite the fact that you have waived your right to alimony, you could at least try to make the argument: “…at the time I … has signed that we are in a certain situation, but look at these factors as they are today.'”
With these alimony answers in mind, here is a summary of some expensive and controversial spousal support agreements:
Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan's ex-wife received more than $15 million. A New York judge determined that this was the amount specified in the couple's prenuptial agreement. That contract stipulated that his wife would receive 20% of his annual income during their marriage, ESPN reported. Apparently, the former NFL player and TV personality argued that his former wife Jean Strahan wasn't entitled to spousal support because she didn't ask him to pay it every year. The judge rejected that argument and Strahan lost $15.3 million.
Michael Strahan appears on stage as Daymond John interviews him during Black Entrepreneurs Day 2021 at the Apollo Theater on October 6, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Janet Jackson
For almost a decade, Janet Jackson kept her marriage to Rene Elizondo Jr. secret. They married in 1991 and separated in 1999, his lawyers said. Elizondo, a singer, dancer and video director, signed a prenuptial agreement but sought $25 million in alimony during the divorce, media reported. Press reports about the 2003 settlement say he didn't get any of that, but those reports say she siphoned off over $10 million.
Mary J. Blige
As theGrio previously reported, Mary J. Blige had to step up to the plate to pay her ex-husband Kendu Isaacs temporary alimony of $30,000 per month. And she also wrote a song about it. Blige's “Rent Money” goes like this: “Look, my rent is due / I spent it all with you, oh / They say you win some, you win some, you lose / All I have is what's due.” Rent / f-' with you.” The couple, who were married for twelve years, eventually settled out of court. Neither discussed the final alimony terms or final agreement, but Isaacs originally asked for nearly $130,000 per month in spousal support.
Terry McMillan
Fateful author Terry McMillan published three books about her relationship and divorce from Jonathan Plummer. “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” chronicles the whirlwind romance that sparked when McMillan was vacationing in Jamaica and asked the 20-year-old if he wanted to have sex with her. According to Oprah, “Waiting to Exhale” was her tome about her heated breakup after Plummer told his wife he was gay, and “Getting to Happy” is about the release of her self-described bitterness over her public, nasty divorce. Plummer fought against the prenuptial agreement he had signed. Before the divorce became final, the author paid Plummer $2,000 a month in alimony and $25,000 in legal fees, ABC reported. McMillan says she ended up paying her ex $28,000 and an additional $27,000 in legal fees, but according to the East Bay Times she missed out on $373,000 in legal fees.
Dr. Dr
Andre Romelle Young, known as “Dr. Dre” paid his wife $100 million after their 24-year marriage ended. Nicole Young received two payments of $50 million each in lieu of spousal support. The couple signed a prenuptial agreement, but Nicole Young said she signed it under duress, NBC reported. According to Rolling Stone, the $100 million represented 20% of Dr. Dre's cash. The outlet reported that a source close to Dre said he was “delighted” to have paid just $100 million to his ex. The couple lived in California, a community property state, and according to the magazine, Dre composed most of his music while married.
Ultimately, each state has its own laws that guarantee spouses certain rights when divorcing. Whether you're thinking about divorce or simply want to be informed of your rights before marriage, McKnight recommends scheduling an appointment with an attorney to discuss general concerns rather than relying on Google.
“Each state is different in how they determine alimony and spousal support. So I would say you need to know the laws in your particular state. And the easiest way to do this is to simply speak to a lawyer. It could be a 30 minute consultation. “Typically, lawyers do free 30-minute consultations and that’s all you need to get the information,” she shared. “Don’t necessarily go off of what your friend or your cousin said. Every case is different; Every situation is different. So what happens for one person won’t happen for another.”
Haniyah Philogenes
Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and lifestyle reporter covering all things cultural. With a passion for digital media, she strives to find new ways to tell and share stories.
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