Property Division Takes the Spotlight in Zimmerman Divorce
Posted on Sep 20, 2013 12:00am PDT
There is no doubt that residents of Georgia and Cobb County, Georgia are
familiar with George Zimmerman. He captured the attention of national,
as well as international, media during his controversial case involving
the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman is back in court once again
but this time he is facing his wife in a divorce proceeding.
Shellie Zimmerman has said she laments that she stood by her husband through
all the challenges he faced only to be left picking up the pieces. Her
divorce petition states specific demands regarding what she expects from
the divorce. For one, she wants an equal share of the marital property.
She also wants a share of the online donations her husband's defense
team raised during the course of the Trayvon Martin case. A total of $536,000
was reportedly raised from the online campaign.
In addition to a share of the marital property and the donations, she stated
that her husband should also provide temporary and permanent life insurance.
Finally, she would like to have custody of the couple's two dogs.
A friend of George said he thinks that Shellie does not deserve to share
in the donations because the donations are meant for her husband's
legal cause.
Georgia and Cobb County residents can learn from the Zimmermans' divorce
that property division can be complex. While marital property is indeed
subjected to equitable distribution, at times negotiations can fall into
gray areas. Issues such as donations, and pet custody, can take some time
to negotiate successfully. Animosity between separating couples can also
hinder property division.
Divorcing couples are advised to seek the guidance of a family law professional
to make the process run smoother. Otherwise, if couples cannot reach an
agreement, the court, under equitable distribution laws, will decide on
a fair split of the divorcing couple's property and assets.