Television superstar Kelsey Grammer, best known for playing the character Fraiser Crane on a pair of NBC sitcoms, has moved from California to New York and is close to reaching an amiable divorce settlement with his now ex-wife. The divorce settlement, which should be finalized shortly, should end what has been a contentious breakup. Although the dispute at times featured a lot of ugly accusations, both sides are said to think their current agreement is fair.
Grammer, who played the same character on the shows “Cheers” and “Fraiser,” was at one point the highest-paid actor in television. At the end of the second show’s 11-year run, he was earning $1.6 million per episode. Yet for such a wealthy individual, he did not have a prenuptial agreement, which meant that in California his ex-wife was entitled to half of his wealth and property.
The actor is said to be more concerned about protecting the long-term interests of his children than about maximizing how much money he can hold on to in the immediate aftermath of the divorce. One of the largest sticking points in the former couple’s divorce battle was over custody of their two children. The two sides have been in court numerous times over visitation rights.
The case illustrates the importance of having an attorney involved. While many California newlyweds don’t think about the possibility of a divorce, it’s possible that a prenuptial agreement can reduce the ugliness of a divorce battle. Furthermore, working through experienced attorneys allows both parties to negotiate for what they deserve without destroying their relationship with their former spouse and keeping the divorce away from children.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Kelsey Grammer, Camille Grammer Nearing Divorce Settlement,” Oct. 24, 2011