Shellie Zimmerman files from divorce from George Zimmerman

ABC News reports that George Zimmerman’s wife Shellie Zimmerman has filed divorce. This news comes less than two months after Zimmerman was acquitted for the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. According to an interview with ABC news, Shellie announced she had filed the paperwork and admitted the trial had “put a strain on their marriage.”

The couple, who married in 2007, was separated on Aug. 13, 2013, and they have not lived together since that date. According to a petition filed by the couple, they are no longer able to remain married due to what they call irreconcilable differences. The couple does not have any children.

According to Florida laws their assets and debts will be distributed “equitably,” although she has asked to retain custody of their two dogs, a Rottweiler named Oso and a smaller dog named Leroy. The divorce petition was filed by Shellie Zimmerman in Seminole County, Florida, on Thursday.

Financial considerations for Shellie Zimmerman

What assets can Shellie Zimmerman expect to retain? It does not look like there is much to distribute. According to information reported on their financial disclosure form, the couple owes $3,700.20 on their 2011 taxes and Shellie Zimmerman has monthly expenses of $755.

George Zimmerman has provided Shellie with approximately $4,300 for living expenses in the last several months, and the “source of funds appears to be Zimmerman Legal Defense Fund,” according to the financial disclosure form.

What does George Zimmerman say?

According to Shawn Vincent, a spokesman for George Zimmerman’s legal team, George Zimmerman will not have a comment about the impending divorce, although his brother did send out a request for everyone to pray for the couple.

It’s not a stretch to believe the trial strained their marriage. According to reports, after Zimmerman was charged with murder the couple has had death threats, has had to live with security guards and has had to go into seclusion to avoid the media spotlight.

According to Shellie, the couple “lived like gypsies, scared every night that someone was going to find us and that we’d be out in the woods alone and that it would be horrific,” she said.

Shellie Zimmerman did, however, admit she believed in her husband’s innocence and his story of self-defense. She also argued he was not a racist and the contention that he could Martin due to his racism was the most difficult assertion to hear.

Shellie Zimmerman has also faced her own legal challenges. Last month she was charged with committing perjury, which she pled guilty to. She is set to serve 100 hours of community service and one year probation for her perjury.

Hiring a divorce lawyer

Divorce is a difficult decision that should not be made without first consulting with a divorce lawyer. If you have questions about divorce, child support, child custody and any other issues surrounding divorce it’s important to consult with a lawyer. There are alternatives to a contentious divorce which should be discussed with a lawyer.