The recent announcement of the break-up of film director Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter at the end of 2014 brought to a close a year of high profile celebrity splits.
The actress's representative told People magazine on Dec. 23 that the couple had "separated amicably earlier this year and have continued to be friends and co-parent their children."
They never married. They first met with Burton directed Carter in the 2001 remake of "Planet of the Apes." Like many couples who have been in long-term relationships they have two children – a son Billy, 11, and daughter Nell, 7.
They had also worked together consistently since meeting, and had worked closely on movies such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," "Alice in Wonderland" and "Dark Shadows."
Other high profile break ups included the divorce of reality TV stars Kris Jenner and Bruce Jenner: The head of the Kardashian family cited "irreconcilable differences" with her husband of 23 years in a divorce petition that was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Sept. 22. Their divorce was finalized on Dec. 18, 2014.
Another longstanding marriage that faltered in 2014, was that of actors Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas. The actress filed for divorce in June from her husband of 18 years. The two met in 1995.
TMZ reported that Griffith was asking for child support and sole physical and joint legal custody, although it was a moot issue because their only child together, turned 18 in September. Griffith also asked for spousal support.
The break-up between actor Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay singer Chris Martin is one of the most talked about separations of the year, mainly because the pair announced it as 'conscious uncoupling' in March, after over 10 years of marriage. They have two children, Apple, eight, and Moses, six.
While celebrity divorces make headlines, thousands of ordinary people break up and get divorced in South Carolina every year away from the media spotlight. On occasions, some of the issues seen in celebrity divorces are also experienced by ordinary citizens.
No divorce is the same. An experienced South Carolina family attorney can help you through the minefield of divorce. See the grounds for divorce in South Carolina, or call Masella Law at 803.938.4952.