Will Jesse James Walk Away With Sandra Bullock's Money?

By Jo Piazza Posted Mar 31st 2010 05:15PM

The breakup of a celebrity marriage is a bit like the dissolution of a business partnership, as lots of cash and property go up for grabs. We're used to seeing famous and wealthy men split from their less famous and wealthy wives, who typically receive a hearty sum as they exit the marriage. In the case of Sandra Bullock and Jesse James, Sandy is the family's cash cow, and as divorce looks more and more likely, it's time for the Academy Award winner to figure out how to protect her assets from her scoundrel hubby.

"No matter how much of a dog he is, Jesse James is going to end up an even wealthier man from this divorce," says trial and divorce attorney Stacy Schneider, author of 'He Had it Coming: How to Outsmart Your Husband and Win Your Divorce.' "Judges don't punish cheating husbands by denying them a money award, unless they squander the marital assets on their mistresses, such as paying for another woman's hotels, vacations or clothing allowances. Since Jesse allegedly squired his dates on his office couch, Sandra won't have much recourse in keeping her money out of Jesse's pockets."

Sources tell us that Sandra was very practical when she married James in 2005 and made sure to have a prenuptial agreement that protected her considerable assets from before the marriage. The couple has also been diligent about keeping their finances separate over the past five years. In theory, if the pair choose to divorce, James shouldn't be able to fleece Sandra out of what is rightfully hers. And if he decides to go quietly into that good night like a gentlemen, that is what will happen.

But if James decides to play rough, Sandy had better put on her fighting shoes to protect her reported $85 million net worth. Both California and Texas, between which the couple split their time, are community property states.

"Any of their assets became joint property when they were married, unless otherwise stated in the prenup. Any property acquired during the marriage and not contemplated in the prenup will be divided per state law. Courts in California and Texas view marriage as an economic partnership, therefore it's a 50/50 split, unless the prenup states otherwise," explains attorney Tom Petrelli of Petrelli Law, P.C.

The prenup would protect Bullock's earnings from before her marriage, but her earnings post-marriage could enter into a legal gray area.

Sandra's income streams come from a variety of places besides her work in movies. She was an executive producer on George Lopez's sitcom and reportedly pulled in around $10 million alone when that show went into syndication in 2006. She is the owner of a successful restaurant in Austin, TX, Bess Bistro, also bought in 2006.

If he is particularly slimy, James can also try to make the legal argument that he is entitled to Sandra's increased earnings over the course of their marriage because, during the marriage, she catapulted from beloved mid-level star to a whole other level of fame after winning that Academy Award. Jesse can claim that it was through his love and support (gag!) that Sandy was able to achieve such stratospheric success. And if that happens, Sandy really needs to put the gloves on and fight dirt with dirt.

"If Jesse, presumably from 'rehab,' does go after her assets, it is time for Sandra to go to the press and go through each allegation publicly and in detail. I am sure we have not heard everything in this case," says divorce attorney Sue Moss of Chemtob, Forman, Moss & Talbert.

Sandra has already won in the court of public opinion, but if and when it comes to it, the jury is out on whether she will win in divorce court.

Watch the Girls on Pop Talk Sandra and Jesse

Tags: jesse james, sandra bullock

Comments

(171)

Wednesday 31 March

By Jim

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

If he gets anything someone should shoot him in the face.

By john

Agree. peice of Cr%^&p !

By bcarrknapp

To bad she doesn't have some BIG brothers who convienently take him out to the woods and he is never seen again. These type of men do not deserve to breathe the air. It is all about what you can get, how much you can get and how much you can get away with , with these men. He takes and gives nothing in return to the person who is his wife. It seems to be a pattern among a lot of men today. Why marry? He is a sick, sick person who enjoys all the porn, roughness and nastiness he can get. It is a joke that he is checking into rehab. I would like to know what kind of rehab all these sick men are going to because they certainly wouldn't have chosen to go before hand and I am wondering if it is just a safe place to hide out foe a while while they wait for the dust to settle.

Thursday 01 April

By Marcia

I hope he mans up and walks away without a cent of her money .
He owes her that .

By bailoutsos

He will put his tail between his legs and quietly get out of her life.

By John

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Men have to pay cheating women who leave all the time. Its only fair she should pay just llke a man would.

Saturday 03 April

By ted

Vote down Vote up Report this

It is not a one way street Jim. Both sides of a divorce deserve what they deserve...nothing more nothing less. He is entitled to his share just like anyone else who goes thru divorce. So many time we see sugar daddies getting screwed...well again it is a two way street. Why not sugar mommies?

By Kat2988

I hope she had a pre nup.

By Jimbo

Hey stupid, didn't you even read the article? Jeezzzz.

Friday 02 April

By Claire

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hey Jimbo, too harsh of a reply. Stupid is as stupid does so YOUR stupid!

By Drew

You trying to get a GED are yhou not?

By Debo

Hey, Claire....before you start calling people "stupid", make sure you know how to spell all the words in your post lest ye be lumped in with them. (Your = possession, You're = "you are")

By Gayle Adcock

Family court will hit a new low if he gets her money to pay off the mistresses that ignored the marriage contract. I don't know about California but I think Texas is a state that allows alienation of affection suits. She should go for it.

By baddun

Texas allows you to shoot low-life dogs on the grounds that "they needed killin'!"

By Terry

Texas eliminated the statute for alienation of affection in '97.

By Jimdolphfan

I like Jesse; he seems like a cool guy. I hope he does the "right thing" and just parts amiably from that cutie he is currently married to. Sandy seems like a very nice person who doesn't deserve to get screwed over. C'mon, Jesse. Man up and do the right thing.

By pnut166

"seems like a cool guy" ? Jeez, what rock did YOU crawl out from under ?

By Boots

Jesse isn't a cool guy...He's a PIG!

Call 'em as they are based on their actions!

By pam

Exactly. Man up, Jesse. Walk away.

A cool guy? He's a loser! Married to a porn star! How many guys do you think she did before "cool Jesse" got a turn? YUCK! And how about that BS that he's descended from the original Jesse James? Yeah, I believe that one! LOSER! I'd love to get a shot at him; I'll bet he'd wet his pants if he had to face a real man. Hell, I'd PAY to have a shot at him, but I suspect I'd be standing in a long line. Money or no, he's a LOSER!

Page 1 of 9