While we don’t have any personal stake in the romantic relationships of celebrities, seeing them play out in gossip columns and entertainment news outlets is grotesquely satisfying. Admit it: it’s a guilty pleasure to know who’s dating who, who’s single and searching, who’s married to whom, and who will soon become available after an oh-so-nasty divorce.
Are divorces particularly attention-grabbing because we like to see pedestaled personalities go through the same problems us regular folks do? Or have we simply blurred the lines between entertainment and reality? Whatever the cause of your obsession may be, we at Buckingham, LaGrandeur & Williams are just happy to have an endless supply of popular trivia whenever we have to talk about legal uncouplings.
As you may or may not know, divorce is a messy process. Beyond the disintegration of whatever romance a couple had, the ex-spouses also have to split their assets and determine spousal support and child custody arrangements. When it plays out in the public eye, celebrity divorce is like the proverbial train wreck you can’t take your eyes off of.
However, you might be surprised to know that not all divorces become final. Even if “irreconcilable differences” is the reason cited for it, there’s the off chance that that is actually mistaken. Here are a few celebrities who withdrew their petitions for divorce.
Chynna Phillips rescinds divorce papers after receiving treatment for anxiety
Phillips, member of the popular 90s girl band Wilson Phillips, filed for divorce from husband Billy Baldwin in 2010. But, after a week’s stay in a mental health facility, Chynna shortly withdrew her petition. Whether or not her anxiety played a part in their marital drama was unclear (so, we hope you don’t feel too misled by our section header — we just stated chronology, not causality).
However, what was apparent was the sentiment of reconciliation. According to people close to the couple, Phillips and Baldwin were going to work out their issues and go through the ups and downs of marriage like any couple intent on staying together does.
Irreconcilable? Maybe that’s not the case after all
Dave Abrams, husband of Beverly Hills 90210 star Jennie Garth decided to call it quits, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Prior to the divorce filing, Abrams and Garth were already spending time apart, though they had gotten back together in early 2019 and were “working hard on their relationship,” according to a representative for Garth.
Well, the cynics among us would probably have this to say to Abrams: Good luck citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ next time, buddy.
Achy breaky hearts manage to keep it together
Some couples manage to fend off divorce not only once, but twice. For instance, Dennis and Kimberley Quaid each took turns submitting papers and calling the divorce off. Apparently, with Kimberley being Dennis’ third wife, the latter chose not to go for a fourth.
Another couple who were able to remain together despite going through two separate divorce filings were the parents of Wrecking Ball singer Miley Cyrus. Achy Breaky Heart singer Billy Ray Cyrus shot for divorce from wife Tish Cyrus, then had it dismissed five months later in March 2011. In June 2013, it was Tish’s turn to go for — and call off — divorce proceedings.
It seems that Miley was singing the truth when she crooned that ‘nothing breaks like a heart’ — though it appears equally true that nothing mends like it, too.
Whether you are filing for divorce or petitioning for its dismissal, we at Buckingham, LaGrandeur & Williams have got you covered. Drop us a line to have the best attorneys by your side during the worst and best of times of your marriage.