Chris Rock and Malaak Compton-Rock File for Divorce in Bergen County Court

Chris Rock recently filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Malaak Compton-Rock. The lawsuit filed in Bergen County Court says Ms. Compton-Rock seeks a significant portion of his $70 million net worth to maintain her lifestyle. The couple has two children, Lola Simone (13) and Savannah (11). Ms. Compton-Rock is the primary caregiver.

The family lives in Alpine. Their neighbors include CC Sabathia and Sean “P.Diddy” Combs.

The Rocks have agreed to share custody of the children after Rock petitioned for joint custody last December.

Ms. Compton-Rock claims that she gave up a public relations career to become a full-time parent after the marriage in 1996. She also runs a charity based in Tenafly known as “The Angel Rock Project.”

Because the couple’s prenuptial agreement has expired (and both parties agree to its expiry), a potential eight-figure bank account balance is at risk.

Because a prenuptial agreement is a contract, the duration often depends on its terms. Before the marriage, the future spouses may determine who will pay for what marital items. The prenuptial agreement can allow the coupon to exempt property from state distribution laws if a future divorce occurs, or how to handle each spouse’s estate after death.

The length of the prenuptial agreement is considered a matter of choice. In this example, the Rocks’ prenup had an expiration date.

Many prenuptial agreements are “silent” concerning how long the spouses intend it to remain in force. It may, in that case, exist “forever.”

However, even if the contract life appears indefinite, that doesn’t mean that the spouses can’t revoke it. In that case, the spouses supersede the contract with another (secondary) agreement that states the first prenuptial agreement isn’t in effect.

Some prenuptial agreements have sunset clauses. Perhaps the Rocks’ prenup agreement had an agreed time at which it ceased to be valid between the parties. For instance, the spouses might have agreed that the prenuptial agreement would remain in force for the first 20 years of marriage. Alternatively, the terms might include that separate property of the spouses eventually becomes the property of both (marital property) after a specific period of time has elapsed.

Over the years, Davis and Mendelson’s experience is high-asset divorces have served our clients well. We know how to handle a wide variety of complex issues arising from a prenuptial agreement, equitable distribution of property, child custody, spousal support, and others. We can assist you in business valuation, real estate appraisals, and other services to help you obtain a just property settlement. Contact us at 866.560.9512 for a confidential case evaluation.