Actor Sean Penn disclosed to the Hollywood Reporter this week that his divorce with his wife of fourteen years was made final in July 2010. Penn and his wife Robin wed in 1996 and have two children: son Hopper, 16, and daughter Dylan, 19.

In his interview Penn explained that his divorce has impacted him more than his move to Haiti, where he has been spending over a year helping with earthquake relief efforts.

Penn stated “I had just got taken for one half of everything I had in the divorce…” He and his wife reached a private agreement on child support, spousal support, and split of assets and custody over their son Hopper.

If Penn wished to protect his assets acquired prior to his marriage, he could have entered into a prenuptial agreement, which is a contract between the spouses that alters the normal rules regarding the characterization of property between the couples. (C.F.C 1610 et seq.)

If you are going through a divorce, you will need an experienced Southern California divorce attorney so that your property can be distributed as quickly and equitably as possible. The greater your assets acquired during marriage the more you have at stake. Property distribution, spousal support, and child custody issues may be highly contentious issues, so contact a Wallin & Klarich attorney as soon as possible to protect your interest. We have helped people going through divorces for over 30 years. Call us today at (888) 749-7428. We will be there when you call.