Posted Apr 13th 2009 5:41PM by TMZ Staff
Mel Gibson has filed his response to wife Robyn's divorce petition -- and it only took a matter of hours.
Gibson, unlike his wife, gives a specific date of separation -- the papers say the date is August 26, 2006. The date is hugely significant -- Mel's infamous DUI arrest was less than a month earlier -- July 28, 2006. Gibson cited irreconcilable differences.
As we reported, Robyn and Mel grew apart after the arrest. The date Gibson lists for separation confirms this.
Gibson also lists "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce.
Gibson is repped by prominent divorce lawyer Robert Kaufman, whose celeb clients include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson and Reese Witherspoon.
Story developing
Filed under: Mel Gibson, Dirty Divorces
Tags: celebrity divorce, celebrity support, CelebrityDivorce, divorce papers, DivorcePapers, laura wasser, LauraWasser, mel and robyn gibson, mel gibson, mel gibson divorce, mel gibson dui, mel gibson prenuptial, mel gibson spousal support, mel gibsons prenup, mel gibsons wife, MelAndRobynGibson, melgibosn, MelGibson, MelGibsonDivorce, MelGibsonDui, MelGibsonPrenuptial, MelGibsonsPrenup, MelGibsonsWife
Posted Apr 13th 2009 11:37AM by TMZ Staff
We've learned Mel Gibson's wife Robyn has just filed legal papers to divorce Mel Gibson, her husband of 28 years, citing "irreconcilable differences." Pretty ironic -- Robyn signed the papers the day before Good Friday.
Sources tell us there is no prenuptial agreement -- they were married in 1980, before Mel Gibson amassed a fortune estimated at $900 million back in 2006. Under the laws of California, community property -- which includes earnings -- is divided 50/50.
The Gibsons have 7 children, but only one -- Tom, who turns 10 tomorrow -- is a minor. In Robyn's legal papers, filed this morning in L.A. County Superior Court, she seeks joint physical and legal custody of Tom.
Robyn is also asking for spousal support and attorneys fees.
Robyn lists the date of separation as "to be determined." This is important, because earnings generally cease to be community property when the couple separates. There could be a skirmish over this. We're told the couple grew increasingly apart over the last few years, especially since Mel's drunk driving arrest in 2006.
There have been reports that Mel has been involved with another woman, which the actor denies, but we're told the reasons for the divorce go beyond any third party.
If there is a fight, Robyn is in good hands -- she's repped by disso-queen Laura Wasser, who has handled divorces for the likes of Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears and Stevie Wonder.
UPDATE: Robyn and Mel Gibson just issued a statement: "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so."
Sources tell TMZ the couple has been separated for more than 2 1/2 years. We'll see if Robyn agrees. Again, the separation date is important in dividing assets.
Filed under: Mel Gibson, Dirty Divorces
Tags: celebrity divorce, celebrity support, CelebrityDivorce, CelebritySupport, divorce papers, DivorcePapers, laura wasser, LauraWasser, mel and robyn gibson, mel gibson, mel gibson community property, mel gibson divorce, mel gibson dui, mel gibson prenup, mel gibson prenuptial, mel gibson spousal support, mel gibsons wife, mel gobson prenuptial, MelAndRobynGibson, MelGibson, MelGibsonCommunityProperty, MelGibsonDivorce, MelGibsonDui, MelGibsonPrenup, MelGibsonPrenuptial, MelGibsonSpousalSupport, MelGibsonsWife, MelGobsonPrenuptial, robyn gibson, RobynGibson, wasser
