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 marybayeux

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I hope she divorces him!

By Jiboko

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Jesse James should not take any money from Sandra Bullock since it seems he had adultery with one or more ladies. Sandra Bullock loved him very much, I believe. Jesse made horrible mistakes. Sandra is better off without him and tries finding better man sometimes later.

By anthonyakins45

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Take her to the cleaners jesse just like a boxer keep the pressure on her.i think you're a wise man jesse.

By bailoutsos

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

By tarogifts

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Sandra is lovely and charming-a great actress and she doesn't deserve this treatment! Jesse has his mcycle biz-he can keep doing what he's doing and humping lowlifes on his couch. Sandra-you pull yourself up by the bootstraps, wipe away the tears, keep yourself incredibly busy for a while-direct a movie-get an adorable loving little puppy to snuggle with. And when the time is right, you will fall into the arms of a man who will dearly love and cherish you-and then you both will curl up with that loyal loving little dog and life will be good again.

By Kirsten

Here's an idea. She should divorce him.........except at the first sign he can get any of her money, she should stop the divorce, walk away from him (still married) and never give him a dime.

By Susan

Kirsten, that is brilliant!

By Creid

He broke the marriage contract. He shouldn't get anything from her!

By Amy

If she has to pay him anything thats just rubbing her face in it more and saying its ok for the man to cheate. If he is any kind of a real man he will not ask for anything from her. He will give her a divorce, bow his head in shame and beg for forgiveness. Then crawl away to never bother her again. Sandra is a beautiful, talented woman who will find someone that will appreciate her and show her what a great person she is, and how lucky he is to be with her AND HER ONLY!

By allight5

It should be obvious to all that no one should live, work, or marry in California and Texas !!! How stupid can they be?

By Rob

Maybe if Sandy's prude @ss gave him what his mistress did, he wouldn't have to stray. Not a sermon just a thought

By Sumy

Sandra probably has dated nice guys but like a some women she really doesnot get turned on by a nice guy. Remember nice guys usually finish last but not always. She wanted this billy bad a, so i live by the sword die by the sword. She claims James had her back. While she had her back turned he was another tiger in the woods. She wanted a bad boy and she got this bad boy and so did a lot of other women. No she actually has to pay this A-H for his lovin. Man alive some men get it all this lucky f-un bum.

By Pat

He needs to man up and walk away quietly. Adultry, no matter how you look at it is wrong. I am in the Army, currently on my 4th deployment to Iraq, and maybe it's my upbringing,,,(thanks mom and dad), but I could never bring myself to cheat on my wife of 12 years. When I said my wedding vows, i actually meant them. Apparently he was just going through the motions. There has to be that mutual repect for eachother that he obviously does not have. Sandra, You are a beautiful, amazing, talanted woman/actress. You can definately find someone more deserving of you.

By Tom

Everybody always places the blame on the guy. Maybe if Sandra had just paid more attention to her womanly duties he wouldn't have had to look elsewhere. Also, for years women have been raking men over the coals in divorces. If you are concerned about equal rights, then maybe Jessie should make her pay on principle.

By get a grip

Kind of thinking Dumb A@@ if she was such a prude, she would have never married him in the first place. Could you be more stupid?

By BAN1ARM

JESSE IS FAR FROM A SLINEBAL. HE MAY NOT DO THE RIGHT THING BUT SANDRA KNEW THIS WHEN THEY WED. SO WHEN YOU PLAY THE GAME YOU GOT TO PAY THE PRICE.

By mike

Jesse is worth alot of money. Not sure what he would actually get if he even pusued it.

By Mary

Only an idiot would say something like this.

By Mausinn

Yeah, Like she didn't know what he was like before they got married. Please, give me a break. I'm sure she never heard of him before they started dating. If he is such a pig and always has been, what does that say about her? Either she's into that life and now wants to put it behind her since she hit the oscars, or she is one of the most clueless women on the planet.

By cleanfreak79

This has "Judge Judy" written all over it. They could turn it into a pay per view event...I would shell out 40 bucks to watch

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