Because NBA star Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant did not have a prenuptial agreement, it seems that there is a strong possibility that the basketball player could end up losing half of his fortune to his ex-wife in their divorce settlement.
The couple married in 2001, and on Friday Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” However, since there was no prenuptial agreement, she is most likely entitled to half of their community property.
And while there is no exact figure on Bryant’s net worth, some estimate it to be somewhere around $150 million, which means his ex-wife, could end up receiving $75 million, and additional money every month for child and spousal support.
Of course, if a prenuptial agreement had been signed, Vanessa Bryant would have been limited in terms of how much of his fortune she was entitled to, as well as any spousal support and property division. But, since there was none, some are saying that she will end up getting not only half of anything considered community property, but also will be able to receive permanent spousal support. She may also end up being included in his retirement plans.
In general, this entire case highlights the importance of having a prenuptial agreement to describe exactly how significant properties and debts will be divided in the case of a divorce.
And while most men do not go into a marriage thinking that it will end in divorce, by simply having the agreement, it at the very least protects you just in case you ever need it.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “Kobe Bryant divorce: Prenup could have ‘saved half of his fortune”” Dec. 20, 2011
