Celebrity Divorce

The marriage officially fell apart last February, but there was a buzz since Christmas that there was trouble brewing. This divorce promises to go fairly smoothly, but there is one speed bump.

There have been reports that Locklear was upset over "another woman." But TMZ is told that there wasn't just one incident that torpedoed the marriage. The way it was described was that the couple had ongoing problems -- the kind that build over an 11-year marriage.

A source tells TMZ that Locklear is handling the split "calmly and with dignity."

It's certainly one of the more volatile divorces in Hollywood. Some weeks, Richards and Sheen are at war; other times they're cordial. We're told they have just gone through a rough patch, but are now talking again. But it is an uneasy calm.

Richards filed for divorce in March 2005, citing irreconcilable differences. We're told that there was not one single problem leading to the split -- rather, it was cumulative. The couple has two children; Denise is asking for custody.

Richards and Sheen attempted a reconciliation last fall, but it failed.

Nick Lachey has Jessica Simpson over a barrel. A fight is brewing over money and Nick holds the trump card -- spousal support.

The former 'Newlyweds' did not have a prenup, which means Nick and Jessica split everything they earned during the marriage 50/50. Nick actually wanted a prenup before they married and Jessica agreed. But when it came time to sign on the dotted line, Jessica refused. We're told Jessica's dad didn't like the idea. Now it will cost her plenty.

The timing of their split has become a battleground as well. Once they officially separated, each is entitled to keep whatever they earn. Jessica says they split in November of last year; Nick claims it was December. In that one month, Jessica made a huge amount of money -- if Nick is right, he gets half of that, too.

TMZ has been following five intriguing Hollywood divorces. One day an estranged celebrity couple is getting along; the next day it's an all-out war over custody, property or saving face. We have the inside track on the divorces that are making news -- Simpson vs. Lachey, Locklear vs. Sambora, Richards vs. Sheen, Baldwin vs. Basinger, and Schaech vs. Applegate.

The bitter divorce between David and Pamela Hasselhoff may suddenly end -- the parties may have settled their differences over custody and visitation.

TMZ obtained a document filed with the judge in the divorce case. It's an e-mail sent by Marci Levine, a lawyer representing David. It states in part: "We believe that we may have reached a full resolution of the custody and visitation issues and are in the process of preparing a formal judgment..."

The Hasselhoffs and their daughters were in court earlier this week, haggling over visitation.
The case has been laced with allegations of domestic violence, including a claim from Pamela that David once broke her nose in a fit of rage.
David denies the allegation.

LeBlanc's rep issued the following statement: "Melissa and Matt LeBlanc have decided to end their marriage of three years. The dissolution is amicable. They remain devoted parents and friends. For the sake of their family, they ask that their privacy be respected at this time."

David Hasselhoff and estranged wife Pamela left family court this week, trying to work out details in what has become one of the ugliest divorces in Hollywood -- a divorce laced with serious domestic violence allegations.

In court documents released Wednesday, the judge ordered the former 'Baywatch' star to "remove his personal effects from the family residence" on April 19. The order goes on: "A neutral, 3rd party is to be present at the exchange."

The judge, taking nothing for granted, ordered that the visit be "peaceable," adding, "Parties may have the exchange videotaped if they wish." The judge warned that any videos shot could not be shown without a court order. The reference is obviously designed so that neither party could leak the tape to the media.

The Hasselhoff relationship wasn't always this way. Just two years ago, the once-happy couple talked about their love for each other, but also hinted that tempers sometimes flared.

David Hasselhoff made a surprise appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom Tuesday. Also present -- his estranged wife, Pamela, and their two daughters.

The judge closed the courtroom to the public and reporters on the grounds that sensitive child custody issues were discussed. We're told one of the issues involved the children's travel arrangements.

Court documents reveal that Pamela has accused David of domestic violence -- in one instance, allegedly breaking her nose. He has denied the allegations.

During a break, the former 'Baywatch' star went out into the hallway and sang a song in German to a random woman.

David Hasselhoff wants to make it clear-- the recently revealed abuse allegations against him are completely false. TMZ spoke with Judy Katz, David Hasselhoff's rep, who issued the following statement:

"David Hasselhoff categorically denies that he has engaged in the conduct alleged by his wife. Unfortunately, Mrs. Hasselhoff has personal issues that need to be addressed with the assistance of professionals. Out of consideration for his children, which, as always, remains his paramount concern, he is not going to discuss this publicly."

In court documents unsealed Thursday and obtained by TMZ, the actor's estranged wife, Pamela, claims the actor terrorized and physically assaulted her.

TMZ has obtained unsealed documents in the David Hasselhoff divorce case, in which his estranged wife Pamela claims the actor terrorized her.

Many of the documents were blacked out. However, in Pamela's application for domestic violence, a portion is still readable. Pamela claims in December 2005, David "grabbed me and pushed me hard into a car." She adds: "In the past, he has also broken my nose and called me 'whore,' 'c**t,' 'bitch,' 'slut' and 'drug addict' in front of our children."

She claims last February, David "told me that he was going to break through my security gate, drive his car through the house, beat the door down and go into the house and take my(sic) all of my jewelry and sell it."
Sources tell TMZ that Hasselhoff denies all allegations against him. It is unclear if the judge granted the order.

On March 6, 2006, the judge ordered David to stay 100 yards away from Pamela and her residence. The judge also ordered him to give up any firearm.

TMZ has obtained Richie Sambora's legal response to Heather Locklear's divorce petition, and it's a sign of trouble.

Sambora is asking the court for joint physical custody of their eight-year-old daughter, Ava. In her petition, Locklear asked for sole physical custody.

Sambora claims the couple separated the day after Christmas last year. He also confirms what Locklear claimed -- that the couple signed a prenup on December 14, 1994. They married the next day.

Jessica Simpson officially filed for divorce Friday from Nick Lachey, her husband of three years. The papers, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, cite "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split.

The couple rose to stardom together as MTV chronicled their first years of marriage on the reality show 'Newlyweds.' Each had enjoyed success in the singing world -- him as a member of the hit group 98 Degrees and her with a fledgling solo career -- but the two rocketed to fame on their reality show.

Their relationship began to falter recently, as rumors circulated of reported infidelity and meddling by Jessica's father and manager Joe Simpson. Innuendo and the stress of celebrity apparently got to the couple, as a permanent split soon seemd a foregone conclusion.

Documents
Jessica's court documents, filed Dec. 16

Video
The way they were...