It was the divorce heard ’round the world, shocking fans and making headlines. Last week, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt announced that they would be splitting up. Although the couple only wed two years ago, they had been together for nearly 12 years and have six children together.
The relationship between these two stars represented perfection and the ideal marriage for countless people, but now that it is ending, fans are questioning whether or not that perfect relationship really does exist.
Of course, everyone has their own definition of perfection, but divorce is rarely an amicable process.
As proof of that statement, Jolie has recently accused Pitt of child abuse — an issue that will now be taken to court with the couple during this process.
Unfortunately, celebrity divorces like this can teach people a lot about marriage, divorce, and getting through the process.
Divorce is typically defined as a splitting of things. In this case, the split is between two people, thus ending their union. However, no two divorces are the same.
Many are hoping that the split between Jolie and Pitt will be amicable, in which case they may pursue what is called a collaborative divorce.
In a collaborative divorce, the idea of an aggressive attorney is put aside and the couple agrees to resolve their issues outside the court of law. That does not, however, mean that they refuse the services of divorce lawyers. In these scenarios, couples work together and with their lawyers to resolve any disputes, including those concerning property, debt, child support, spousal support, custody, and visitation.
While this type of divorce isn’t the most common, tabloids often blow things out of proportion in regards to celebrities. What might seem like an aggressive attorney making a harsh decision could simply be routine court proceedings.
However, famous divorces like the one Jolie and Pitt are going through can teach countless people about the difficulties of modern divorce.
Approximately 10% of the U.S. population is divorced, and Brangelina is simply another couple thrown into the mix. As much as papers might sensationalize divorce, the truth is that the process is a difficult one, no matter how famous or amicable couples are.