Outlandish Divorce Requests Seen by Attorneys
Divorce is often an emotional and complex process, and sometimes, people can make surprising or even outlandish requests during proceedings. You don’t need to be a celebrity to have these moments; divorce attorneys have seen it all, from requests for parakeet support to heated arguments over the family coffee maker. At Morgan Legal Group in New York, we’ve handled many unique cases, providing insight into the often bizarre world of divorce demands.
Celebrity Divorce Requests: Just Like Us
It’s easy to assume that outrageous divorce requests are confined to celebrities. However, as we’ve seen in high-profile cases, these oddities are surprisingly common across all walks of life. For instance, in a much-publicized divorce between former NFL player Kroy Biermann and Real Housewives star Kim Zolciak-Biermann, a major contention was access to the master bedroom’s walk-in closet. According to Page Six, the closet time was ordered to be split by the hour—Kim had access from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, while Kroy could access the closet outside of these hours.
Beyond Celebrities: Everyday Divorce Requests
Divorce attorneys regularly encounter similar scenarios with their clients. Russel Morgan, principal at Morgan Legal Group, recalls a case where a client sought maintenance funds specifically for a parakeet. While these types of requests might seem trivial, they can often reflect deeper emotional struggles underlying the divorce process.
Examining the Cost of Divorce Demands
Many clients become embroiled in disputes over personal items that hold more sentimental than financial value. For example, Morghan Richardson, a New York-based partner and co-chair of the matrimonial family law department at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, once spent over an hour on the phone with a client debating the future of her child’s Crocs. While the footwear in question costs between $25 to $50, Richardson noted that her billable time could have bought over 50 pairs. “If people are more aware that they’re having an emotional response, it might help them in processing the whole divorce,” she advises.
Outlandish Animal Custody Battles
Pets often become a significant point of contention in divorces, with couples fighting over their beloved animals as if they were children. Russel Morgan once represented a client who requested $200,000 annually to maintain a parakeet alongside ownership of the marital home. Although the budget was ultimately reduced to $10,000, it highlights how passionately people can feel about their pets during a divorce.
The Financial Implications of Emotional Demands
Emotional demands in divorce cases can drive up costs, prolong litigation, and complicate settlement negotiations. Valeska Chacon-Casanova, a senior attorney at the Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, shares a cautionary tale of a couple who almost went to trial over dog custody. After the wife gained custody, she discovered that the dog was in poor health and no longer wanted it. This underscores how emotional decisions made in the heat of divorce can lead to regrettable outcomes.
Exotic Pets and Divorces
Animal custody battles are not limited to common pets like dogs and cats. Family law attorney Genelle Johnson dealt with a case involving a divorcing couple and their exotic snake colony. The couple insisted that the snakes living in colonies could not be separated. Johnson had to navigate the valuation of the snakes and ultimately managed to broker a deal in which one party paid an unrealistic amount to keep them.
When Judges Have Had Enough
Unreasonable requests can also wear down judges’ patience, leading to abrupt rulings. Johnson recalls a case where a couple’s dispute over personal property dragged on through a two-day trial. Frustrated, the judge ordered, “Husband gets everything wife wants; wife gets everything husband wants; now get the hell out of my courtroom.” Such anecdotes serve as a stark reminder of the importance of keeping perspective during divorce proceedings.
The Perils of Emotional Decision-Making
Richardson also dealt with a client who demanded DNA testing on a pair of underpants to prove his wife’s infidelity despite the state’s no-fault divorce laws making such evidence irrelevant. “That emotional reaction really drives the contested cases in our system,” she explains. When clients allow their emotions to dictate their legal strategies, they often prolong the process and incur greater legal fees.
Advice for Navigating Divorce Demands
While it’s natural to feel emotional during a divorce, it’s crucial to approach the process with a level head. Divorce attorneys, like those at Morgan Legal Group, help clients navigate their emotions and focus on what truly matters. This often involves separating financial concerns from emotional reactions, ensuring that legal battles are fought only when necessary and reasonable.
Focus on the Future, Not the Fight
Attorneys often advise their clients to ask themselves whether the issue will matter five years later. In many cases, the answer is no. By keeping the focus on future stability rather than immediate grievances, parties can often reach amicable solutions more quickly. This approach reduces legal costs and helps preserve relationships and emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Divorce can bring out strong emotions and, sometimes, outlandish requests. Whether it’s fighting over parakeets, exotic snakes, or a beloved coffee maker, these disputes often reflect deeper issues beyond divorce. At Morgan Legal Group, we guide clients through these emotional waters, ensuring their rights are protected while helping them make rational, informed decisions. By focusing on what truly matters, we help our clients emerge from their divorces with their dignity and wallets intact.
