NFL Player’s Public Spousal Abuse and Divorce

High asset divorces are often complex. Although all divorces involve emotional challenges and create financial strains for the spouses involved, the division of assets is frequently the most challenging part of a divorce settlement for high net worth individuals. Because the assets of HNWI families are often more complex, it’s important for the couple to engage experienced divorce attorneys.

A recent example includes a divorce involving a former Giants kicker. Josh Brown, cut from the team last year, faced scorn concerning his written admission of spousal abuse. The couple was married eight years when he announced that the divorce agreement had been reached. He has agreed to seek therapy regarding spousal and domestic abuse issues.

According to TMZ, the court documents require Brown to pay spousal support of $15,000 per month for 24 months (a total of $360,000). He earned more than $20 million as a NFL player. His ex-wife was granted primary custody of the couple’s six-year-old daughter. She will receive $4,000 per month as child support from her father.

Brown was arrested in 2015 on fourth-degree domestic violence charges. The NFL suspended him for one game (citing that he violated the “personal conduct policy”) in August 2016. He was later arrested for spousal abuse. Admissions of spousal abuse were contained in emails, journal entries, and therapy exercises. Investigators decided to close the case when Brown announced the couple’s plans to divorce.

Shortly after his arrest, the Giants cut Brown from the team. The Giants’ general manager said it re-signed Brown without knowing he was an abusive spouse.

Unfortunately, many high asset divorces include common mistakes. Because a high asset divorce sometimes takes longer to unfold and may involve higher-profile individuals, the potential for serious mistakes can occur on either side.

• One serious mistake involves one party hiding assets from the other. For example, transfer of an asset to a third party or failing to share information about assets is fraudulent.

• Another serious mistake involves failure to perform tax planning prior to the divorce. For instance, forced alimony payments or distributions from an account may be important components of the divorced couples’ tax liability.

Consider all of the factors before you make personal and financial decisions about your high asset divorce. Contact Davis & Mendelson in confidence at 866.560.9512.