Jacqueline Newman - New York City Divorce Lawyer

Suppose you are divorcing and seeking sole custody of your kids. Now suppose your spouse is accused of child abuse. Who do you think is in the better negotiating position when the divorce lawyers sit down to dicker?

Even non-lawyers can see the answer is obvious. This hypothetical situation may not be so hypothetical in the increasingly poisonous pending divorce of Hollywood icons Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

The coda to the Sage Kelly divorce scandal came on Dec. 17, when the elite Jefferies investment banker resigned to “focus on family matters.”

The departure followed two months of intense scrutiny prompted by a salacious legal filing from his wife, Christina Di Mauro Kelly, that included allegations of cocaine and mushroom use, a four-person orgy involving a client and anecdotes of questionable parenting. She demanded $7 million and joint custody of their two children. The details were so juicy that it prompted international media coverage, moved two related-biotech stocks, and led to an impromptu urine test by top Jefferies executives.

The most difficult type of client to work with are those that are so angry at their spouse that they are unable to see how that anger and their reaction to that anger is hurtful to their children and ultimately to their case. I talk a lot to the clients that are having that experience and attempt to make them understand how the anger they are currently feeling is temporary, while the effects of this anger can be permanent. I joke with clients that “I am their most expensive therapist.” I also advise clients (in a less joking manner) that if they continue to involve the children in their anger, they should factor in the cost of lifetime therapy bills for their children and themselves when calculating the cost of their divorce.

Does the age of a teenager or celebrity status play a role in custody battles? We are joined by celebrity divorce attorney, Jacqueline Newman, who tells us more and shares the latest about the Madonna and Guy Ritchie court appearance.

Arise Xchange host, Andrew Schmertz speaks to Jacqueline Newman, a Family Law Attorney about why divorce rates rise when the economy gets stronger.

Jacqueline Newman says Britney’s behavior is going to make the court question, however, it does not mean she is going to lose custody of her children.