New Jersey MLB fans who are following the McCourt divorce may remember that Jamie McCourt received $131 million in a tax-free divorce settlement from her former husband Frank McCourt, the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in 2012, but part of the agreement stipulated that if either party were to contest the agreement, he or she would have to pay for the other’s attorney’s fees. Jamie contested the agreement, which led a superior court judge to recently order her to reimburse her ex for the $1.9 million he spent in their latest divorce litigation. The decision was tentatively given on June 24, 2014. It will become final after a 15-day period in which Jamie’s attorneys could appeal.
In addition to the more than $130 million Jamie was entitled to per the 2012 divorce agreement, she also was given ownership of multiple luxury homes obtained during the McCourt’s roughly three-decade marriage. Her issue with the settlement was that she believed her ex-husband had undervalued the worth of a major asset, the Dodgers. Fans of the team may recall when the Dodgers were sold in 2012; the team was purchased for more than $2 billion.
Jamie McCourt’s accusations were rejected by a judge in September. Her attorneys tried to argue that Frank McCourt’s request for $1.9 million was excessive, but that argument was rejected in April. Per the judge’s decision, unless she can successfully appeal the new ruling, Jamie will have to give her ex-husband the full $1.9 million. The decision also stated that the 2012 settlement had been created to bring an end to litigation.
For New Jersey residents who’ve decided to dissolve their marriage, reaching a divorce settlement allows for a fresh start. A family law attorney could evaluate the value of assets and recommend an equitable division of assets. The attorney could also negotiate post-divorce modifications, such as a need to amend alimony or child custody agreements.
Source: ABC News, “Judge Favors Frank McCourt in Divorce Fees Fight”, Anthony McCartney, June 26, 2014