Mel Gibson's wife Robyn Moore has filed for divorce from the actor, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason behind their separation.
- Apr 14, 2009
AceShowbiz - Robyn Moore, the wife of Mel Gibson, has filed for divorce papers, seeking to end her union with the famous actor after 28 years of marriage. According to the divorce petition, which she officially signed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, April 9, Robyn cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for her split from Mel.
Tying the knot in June 1980, Robyn and Mel are parents to six sons and one daughter. The pair became estranged to one another nearly three years ago around the time of his infamous DUI arrest back in 2006. Though so, Robyn listed in her divorce petition the date of separation as "to be determined."
TMZ, which was the first to report Robyn and Mel's divorce case, has pointed out the importance of listing the exact date of their separation due to the fact that the pair has no prenuptial agreement. "This is important, because earnings generally cease to be community property when the couple separates," TMZ wrote on its site. Under California law, community property, which includes earnings, is divided 50-50.
In addition to seeking joint physical and legal custody of their son, Tom, who turns 10 on Tuesday, April 14, Robyn also requests spousal support and attorneys' fees. Meanwhile, it has been widely reported that Robyn has billed attorney Laura Wasser, who represented Britney Spears in her split from Kevin Federline, to help her winning the divorce case.
Mel himself already filed a response to the divorce within four hours of his wife's filing, claiming that he and Robyn separated on August 26, 2006. As stated in his legal document, Mel does not want to pay Robyn's spousal support and is seeking that attorneys' fees to be paid out of the couple's joint property.
Soon after reports of their divorce were covered by the media, Robyn and Mel issued a joint statement, asking for privacy. "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so," the statement read.
