Divorce isn’t easy. People get angry or hurt, and emotions can cloud even the most intelligent person’s judgment. We’ve already written many blogs about the need to “play nice” in divorce proceedings, and the benefits of positive co-parenting, but one star’s recent divorce has hit our radar as a real-life example of the positive behavior that we have been tirelessly preaching.

Actress Hilary Duff and former NHL player Mike Comrie’s divorce was finalized in January 2016, after their separation a year earlier. The couple was married for about 4 years after dating for 2. They have a 3-year-old son named Luca. From the start, you could tell that this was an amicable divorce, as they broke the news of their separation to the public while sitting together. They thanked the public, via twitter, for the kindness and well wishes that they had received and wrote, “not an easy day but we’re getting thru it together.”

Hilary has made nothing but positive comments about Mike in the media since the split. Just after the divorce was finalized, Hilary appeared on The Ellen Show, where even Ellen DeGeneres commended the couple’s behavior throughout this split. During the interview Ellen said, “y’all are really doing it right (….) I think that’s the way it should be.” Hilary responded by saying that she and Mike remain good friends and have great communication. She said they are both “obsessed” with their son, and share pictures with each other when one is not with Luca.

And get this; the couple even went on a family vacation together with their son last month! That’s right, less than a month after their divorce, the couple still manages to remain friendly enough that they can spend valuable family time together with their son. I can only imagine how many children of divorcing or divorced parents would love to have such a positive family bond remaining in their lives.

As far as the finer details of their divorce go, the couple entered into a pre-nuptial agreement when they married in 2010. It has been reported that Hilary is keeping the Beverly Hills mansion, paying almost $2.5 million to Mike for his interest in the home. Hilary is also keeping the Malibu mobile home, while he keeps the Bentley, Mercedes, and a significant amount of jewelry. They will share joint custody of their son and neither will get spousal support.

We understand that you may not be as fortunate as Hilary and Mike to have ex-spouses or partners that will make a split this easy, but we truly wish that more people going through divorce would strive to emulate this type of behavior. Try to remember that you did love your ex enough at one point to marry them or have a child with them, and with that in mind you can make your best efforts to keep things friendly or at least amicable. This will not only benefit you, but it will also impact the people around you. Your children will certainly thank you.

Feel free to contact us if you are considering a divorce from your spouse, a legal separation, or have questions regarding child custody and visitation. Nancy J. Bickford is the only Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) in San Diego County who is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Don’t settle for less when determining your rights. Call 858-793-8884 in Del Mar, Carmel Valley, North County or San Diego.

www.bickfordlaw.com