"Celeb Divorce: Kelis and Nas Announce Plans"

Many people think celebrities are invincible. They think they get everything they want and their lives are nothing less than perfect. "They are living the life." Right now, for Kelis and Nas that isn't the case. This Hip-hop is set to divorce just months before their first child. Kelis has filed papers via top divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, citing "irreconcilable differences" and a spokesperson for the singer tells Vibe.com, "I can confirm that she has filed for divorce. We request the media to respect her privacy during this very difficult time."

They are expecting their son at the end of the summer. This couple met at the MTV Music Awards in 2002 and were married in Atlanta Georgia in July 2003. No time is the right time for divorce. It's a shame that such a young couple is going their separate ways, especially right before the birth of the first child.

Kim Hess states, "Why are we obsessed with celebrity divorces and the money that is to be had when love goes sour? I'm not quite sure, but I think it has something to do with the intrigue that the rich and famous are people too. Sometimes bitter, stingy, and angry people, Yep, it's just not your ex! Divorce is a hard, sad, time for them as well. But being able to walk away with millions of dollars and knowing you don't have to be married to that person anymore...priceless!"

Images are from flikr.

"The Price You Have To Pay"

People have many fears in life. I know my biggest fear is death. According to Kevin McDonald, "Death is the final stage of life, something we all must face. But many people go through another kind of death well before the coffin. It's divorce."

Divorce is death of a marital relationship. "Divorce is big business in the United States. According to maritalstatus.com, a Web site geared toward divorce and remarriage, divorce is a $28 billion-a-year industry with an average cost of about $20,000." When a divorce is final, most couples hire an attorney to make sure that assets, child support, alimony and other aspects are handled fairly. The legal fees are generally lower than a mediated or contested divorce. Here's a general rule of thumb: "The more complicated and emotional the divorce, the more expensive it will be, according to several attorneys nationwide."

Most lawyers charge an hourly rate, so expect to pay between $100 and $450 an hour, says Jan Warner of Columbia, S.C., a divorce attorney for 30 years. "Some lawyers may charge as little as $75 an hour, according to maritalstatus.com, with an up-front retainer of $500 to $10,000."
A retainer is the initial fee you pay the lawyer. The attorney's hourly rate is then deducted from the retainer. Once the money is gone, you pay additional money to keep the attorney on your case.

California divorce attorney Marilyn S. Slifman says many couples can't afford to hire a lawyer and are forced to look for other ways to settle matters. Some couples hire an attorney only for certain services. The choice is yours! "Separate the finances from the emotions. Think about the divorce as a business deal and what is best for you. Formulate goals and work toward them," says Wall.

Images are from flikr.

"Kidney or Divorce?"

When you walk down that aisle and make that committment, "Until death do us part" you're suppose to mean it. Being married and in love means you will do anything and everything for your husband or wife. Dr. Richard Batista's wife, Dawnell Batista, needed a kidney and he gave her one. But, when push comes to shove, and she files for a divorce, he asks for it back.

If doesn't get his kidney back, his attorney, Dominic Barbara of Garden City, said his client wants $1.5 million, which reflects in part the value of the kidney transplant. Robert Veatch, a medical ethicist at Georgetown University's Kennedy Institute of Ethics, noted that "it's illegal for an organ to be exchanged for anything of value." Organs in the United States can't be bought or sold. Being an organ don

or or actually just giving an organ away is a gift. Any human being should be thankful for receiving a "gift" like this and any individual giving this gift should feel and think very highly of themselves. It is the least selfish thing they could ever possibly do. "It's her kidney now and . . . taking the kidney out would mean she would have to go on dialysis or it would kill her," Veatch said. Going through a divorce can probably be one of the most heart breaking situations to go through. It can either end on good or bad terms. Not terms in which you are physically taking back an organ that is keeping someone alive; that's just sick and insane.

Supposibly Batista didn't even really want his kidney back. He said it was in exchange for visitation rights with his three children. He donated his kidney to her in June 2001 after she had undergone two other failed transplants when her kidneys stopped working. His first goal was to save her and his second goal was turn the marriage around. Their marriage was shakey because of her illness. In June 2005, Dawnell filed for the divorce. Batista said he was happy with his gift of life: "I was walking on a cloud. I did the right thing for her and to this day I would do it again!" In all, demanding for his kidney back was just a fake. In reality, he was fighting for his children, he just didn't go about it in the correct way!

Images are from flikr.

"Bed and Board Divorce"

There really isn't a legal proceeding to have a legal separation in New Jersey. The closest thing to a "legal separation" provided in New Jersey is a "divorce from bed and board."

In the 1950's and 60's, bed and board divorce was very popular. Back then it was considered a mortal sin. A bed and board divorce is not really a divorce, but more than a legal separation. In this specific divorce, the couple is economically divorced, but are still legally married. "The parties obtain a judgment that equitably distributes the assets, makes support and alimony awards, apportions debts, sells the marital home, and divides pensions." A divorce from bed and board does not get rid of the marital bond, it only states that the couple is now legally separated. The primary reason in obtaining a divorce from bed and board is to enable both spouses to maintain health insurance.

A major benefit of a divorce from bed and board is that a separated spouse can still receive health insurance benefits from other spouse's employee health plan. The health plan can't be terminated beause it's not a complete divorce. An advantage of this type of divorce is that it can be modified; the couple can apply for a suspension from bed and board. It can converted from a limited divorce to a complete divorce.

This is the type of divorce my parents are going through right now. They are not legally divorced, but are very much separated, until one wishes to get remarried. My mother is a nanny and my father works for Pepsi-Cola, so mother relies a lot on my father's income. She is an independent, determined woman and I have no doubt she could make it on her own. But, for now this is the situation they have decided to go along with. According to Johnny Carson, "The difference between divorce and legal separation is that a legal separation gives a husband time to hide his money!"

Images are from flikr.

"Don't Let It Get The Best Of You"

Getting married at such a young age isn't exactly the smartest decision to make. You have to know yourself and the person you're getting yourself in involved with. You have to be happy and know what you want. From the very beginning, you set goals and expectations for yourself. Don't go any lower than those you have set. According to LJ Weitzman, "These young mothers and older women experience a 73% decline in their standard of living (many have to sell their homes) while their husbands average a 42% increase in theirs."

This is a true story coming from a young, 24-year-old woman that has been through it all: graduating high school, marriage, children, owned her own business, been divorced, owned a home, found her "soul mate," and had another child. She got married at 18 and had her first child at 19. She was raised to be indepdent. She never really relied on anyone. Of course, going through her divorce, her parents were there to support her. They gave her and her son a place to live until they could get back on their feet. Being an independent woman, that didn't last for long and she bought a house before the divorce was even final.

Her and her ex came from two very different families. He was from a "high class" family, where she was from a middle class family who worked everyday of their lives to get what they needed. He thought money grew on trees. Most of the timee, statistically financial problems are the main reason for divorce. Six months after the divorce, she found the love of her life. He was going through a divorce at about the same time. Life does get better after divorce! "I thought up this quote one day, shortly after my separation, and have lived by it ever since. “Good things don’t happen to people. People make good things happen.”

She would love to be a stay at home mom, but she doesn't want to rely on the man shes loves completely in financial areas. She wants to work her way through this. There was light at the end of the tunnel for her. Don't give up on a good thing!

Images are from flikr.

"Religion Comes Into Play"

Divorce is an overall major decision to be made. Who would have ever thought religious views would get in the way or affect the way your perceive divorce? If an individual feels that their faith or values will be "toyed" with, then this isn't exactly the situation they need to be in.

Mel Gibson takes religion very seriously. "If his epic film about Jesus weren't an indication, the church he built for Roman Catholic "traditionalists" like himself might be a giveaway." The real question is, how does this split from his wife Robyn affect his overall beliefs? Roger McCaffrey, founding publisher and former editor of The Latin Mass magazine and the publisher of Roman Catholic Books states, "He's a man who stoutly believes in the indissolubility of marriage, but now," McCaffrey tells PEOPLE, "this marriage problem is going to test his flexibility to the max."

He still will be practicing Catholic, and still receive communion. Therefore, by having a civil divorce he will not techniqually be living in grave sin. If Gibson decidied he wanted to remarry, he would file for an annulment like members of churches dealing with Roman Catholics. Throughout their marriage, Robyn Gibson took an active role in the church. In 2003, Mel Gibson states, "There is no salvation for those outside the Church. I believe it. Put it this way. My wife is a saint. She's a much better person than I am. Honestly."

Gibson is a man of his word. He truly believed that Robyn would be better off without. At least this was a more "successful" divorce, unlike others we have read about. Hopefully each seek happiness sooner or later. Religion plays a big role in a lot of people's lives and if a divorce if the answer to their prayers, then so be it!

Images are from flikr.

"Exploring the Unknown"

Let's take a look at this from a woman's perspective. Coming out of a divorce, we have to keep our guard up, especially if we were just recently cheated on. We tend to take things slow. According to womansdivorce, "Your first serious relationship after a divorce can feel like a breath of fresh air." It's not the easiet for any woman to let another man into their life after such rough times, whether it be cheating or just not getting along with one another. After some time has passed, things get a little easier and we tend to recognize our surroundings. The first man can make a woman feel so wanted and appreciated after a divorce. It may feel too good. It may not feel right first thing, but explore and keep your options open. Who knows, the next one you meet might actually be "the one."

Dating isn't necessarily your first option. Go out with some friends to a bar or the movies, have a good time. It not unusual for a woman to have many sexual affairs after a bitter divorce. So many emotions are buillt up to where you have no choice but to let loose. It's all a part of the healing process. Womansdivorce says it all. "This is a person that seems to be the answer to all your dreams. They're the "special boyfriends" that ease a divorced woman through the trauma - they're good to them; they listen to them; they're sensitive to their needs but never demanding; and they fulfill their sexual hunger." Have fun for now but be aware of all possibilities. Don't get yourself stuck in the same situation you were in before.

Don't be afraid to cut someone off though. If you aren't happy with the new relationship your in, be honest. Be the person your significant other wasn't when you were together. You can't hold back. You have nothing to lose. At this point, you just want to have fun, it's all about you, don't get caught up, and go with what your heart tells you. Happiness is key to success!

According to Dr. Laura Berman, "Dating is often a risky and adrenaline-pumping adventure, but when you date after divorce, hearts aren’t the only commodities on the line. Between kids, potential step-relations, money issues and exes, dating after divorce can be a tricky and stressful undertaking."

Images are from flikr.