Celebrity divorces often make headlines, but behind the glitz, they can highlight important legal principles that apply to everyday families too. This week, the New York Times reported that Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman filed for divorce from her husband of nearly 20 years, Grammy-winning country star Keith Urban, citing irreconcilable differences in a Tennessee court. According to Yahoo Entertainment, Kidman has described herself as feeling “devastated” and “betrayed” by the breakup, while rumors swirl that Urban may already be moving on. The highly publicized Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban divorce is a reminder that behind the headlines, the legal system often looks very different than the gossip.
No-Fault Divorce in California
California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning the only ground is “irreconcilable differences.” Under Family Code § 2310, courts do not weigh accusations of betrayal or infidelity when deciding whether to grant a divorce.
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Divorce can be finalized without assigning blame
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Emotional reasons, like betrayal or infidelity, do not affect the legal grounds
Child Custody Considerations
Kidman and Urban share two teenage daughters. If their divorce were happening in California, custody decisions would focus entirely on the best interests of the children.
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Family Code § 3011 – Judges must consider the child’s health, safety, and welfare, and any history of abuse
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Family Code § 3020 – California policy favors frequent and continuing contact with both parents when it is in the child’s best interests
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Custody decisions are about stability and the child’s well-being, not about parental blame
Long-Term Spousal Support
Because Kidman and Urban have been married nearly 20 years, their divorce raises another issue familiar to California law: long-term spousal support.
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Family Code § 4336 – In marriages of “long duration” (10 years or more), the court may retain jurisdiction over spousal support indefinitely
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Long marriages often mean the court won’t set a fixed end date for support
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Support is not guaranteed forever but may last longer when circumstances justify it
The Prenup Factor
Many celebrity couples rely on prenuptial agreements to control the outcome of divorce. In California, prenups are governed by the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (Family Code §§ 1610–1617).
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A valid prenup can determine property division, spousal support, and other key issues
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Prenups can override default California community property rules
Conclusion: Lessons for California Couples
The Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban divorce underscores that even when emotions dominate the public conversation, divorce law in California is grounded in clear principles:
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No-fault divorce – Courts don’t assign blame (Fam. Code § 2310)
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Custody – Always decided based on the best interests of the child (Fam. Code §§ 3011, 3020)
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Spousal support – Long marriages often mean longer-term support obligations (Fam. Code § 4336)
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Prenups – Can significantly change the outcome (Fam. Code §§ 1610–1617)
At the Law Offices of David Knecht, we help California clients navigate divorce with clarity and confidence. Whether you are considering a separation, concerned about custody, or seeking to protect your financial future, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. To discuss your unique situation, call us today at (707) 451-4502 to schedule a consultation and protect what matters most.
