Attorney Todd Dwire speaking with staff member in conference room

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Divorce official for Heidi Klum and Seal, custody battle likely

On Behalf of | Apr 10, 2012 | Firm News |

Two prominent reasons you hear while a couple goes through divorce are “irreconcilable differences” and “they just grew apart.” Heidi Klum cited the former in her divorce paperwork last week, bringing her divorce from musician Seal — who referenced the latter in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres — full circle after a three-month separation.

The divorce will end the celebrity couple’s seven-year marriage which, in the public eye, was seemingly a happy one. In a statement, both Klum and Seal reiterated that they had “grown apart” and said their top priority is “protecting the well-being of their children.”

However, there seems to be a court battle brewing. Klum and Seal aim to have joint legal custody of the four children they had together; but Klum is requesting sole physical custody while allowing Seal visitation rights.

In Minnesota, physical custody refers to the daily care and upbringing of a child. There are two types of physical custody: sole custody (granting one parent the daily responsibility of a child) and joint custody (shared responsibility between the divorced parents). Child custody disputes can get very contentious, and it is important that a divorcing mother or father seek experienced legal counsel to assure their desired custody rights are attained.

The tension between Klum and Seal is not just over their children, as can often be the case in divorce. Klum has requested that the judge handling her case refuse any alimony claims by Seal, and that Seal should be responsible for paying her legal fees.

Source: Huffington Post, “Heidi Klum Divorce: Model Files To Divorce Seal,” April 6, 2012

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