Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva finalize child support payments

Although Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva never married, their public relationship and ensuing feud has been public fodder for a long time. Fox News Entertainment reports that the two have finally reached a child custody and child support agreement.

The press reports that Grigorieva, according to the settlement, is entitled to $750,000 and will be allowed to live in Gibson’s Sherman Oaks, California, home until the couple’s daughter, Lucia, is 18-years-old. This is considered a modest settlement, especially considering Robyn, his ex-wife of 28 years, could have received half of Gibson’s estimated $900 million fortune.

This is the second major break-up for the once mega star who reportedly had an affair behind his wife’s back (who he was married to for 20 years). Gibson denied the affair but his girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, later announced that she was pregnant with his child.

The relationship between Grigorieva and Gibson has been a turbulent one. In July of 2010, reports of a “raging” Gibson were available online with Gibson threatening to “bury her in her rose garden” and her “needing a bat to the side of her head”. Earlier this year, Gibson faced charges of misdemeanor battery and entered a plea of no-contest.

Sources confirm that the star is glad to have all of these issues resolved but others confirm that the star’s image may have been irreparably tarnished.

Hiring a Divorce Lawyer

Nearly 2 million couples marry each year in the United States each year, and unfortunately, many of these couples will end up filing for divorce. Whether or not you have married or just had a child together, if you are separating or filing for divorce it is time to talk to a lawyer.

Ending a relationship is never easy, and it should be the last option for you and your spouse, but if you have attempted reconciliation and you need help, talk to a divorce attorney. Divorce lawyers can review your case and let you know the best way to protect yourself.

Discussing Child Support with a Lawyer

Child support and child custody is often one of the most widely contested, emotional and difficult issues in a divorce or separation. The courts will evaluate a variety of factors and may decide from either of the following common arrangements: joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or sole custody.

California courts have wide latitude to make custody arrangements, but the ultimate goal is to determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make their decision the courts will evaluate the following factors:

• The welfare, safety and health of the child
• Whether either parent has a history of abuse
• The nature of the contact of the parent and the child
• The habitual or continual illegal use of controlled substances or habitual or continual abuse of alcohol by either parent.
• Any other factors the court finds relevant.

(Based on California Family Code – Sections: 3010, 3011, 3040)

If you are considering separation or divorce, contact a divorce lawyer to make sure you make the best arrangement for your child.