Say It Ain't So!

[AKAtude]

I just heard on the "Today" show that Juanita has filed for divorce after 12 yrs of marriage to Michael Jordan. It seems as though they have been married longer than that. She is seeking custody of their three children and half of the property. I wonder if Mike got a pre-nup?

[CrimsonTide4]

**sorry I could not format better but our work computers suck sometimes**

Jordan's Wife Files for Divorce
Monday, January 7

Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan's wife has filed for divorce, seeking to
dissolve her 12-year marriage to the world's most famous basketball player, the Chicago Tribune reported on its Web site Monday night.

Juanita Jordan was at her husband's side in January 1999 when he announced his now short-lived retirement from the NBA.

In a petition filed Friday in circuit court in Waukegan, Ill., Juanita
Jordan cited "irreconcilable differences" in seeking a dissolution of her marriage to Jordan.

She seeks permanent custody of the couple's three children, the
25,000-square-foot "marital residence" in Highland Park and half the
couple's
property.

The petition listed the couple as J. Vanoy Jordan and M. Jeff Jordan.

"It is the parties' hope that the media respect the family's need and
desire
for privacy in this painful matter," Juanita Jordan's lawyer, Don
Schiller,
told the Tribune.

The six-page petition says irreconcilable differences have caused "the
irretrievable breakdown" of Mrs. Jordan's marriage to the basketball
superstar and that future attempts at reconciliation "would be
impractical
and not in the best interests of the family."

The couple was married Sept. 2, 1989, in Las Vegas. Their children are
Jeffrey, 13, Marques, 11, and Jasmine, 9.

Jordan cited a desire to spend more time with his family when he
retired from
the Bulls the first time in October 1994 and again in January 1999.

He maintained his Chicago-area residence when he returned to basketball
as a
front-office executive with the Washington Wizards last season, but his
decision to resume his playing career has kept him in Washington
full-time.

The petition describes Jordan as "a well and able-bodied man who is
capable
of making suitable provisions for the support and maintenance of the
Petitioner and for the support and education of the parties' children
in a
style commensurate with that enjoyed by the parties during marriage."

Jordan, who was paid more than $30 million in his final season with the
Bulls, is one of the world's richest athletes.

He plays at home Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

[2DISCRETE4U]

I had posted about this earlier in the Celebrity dish thread....my bad for not searching first!

But thanks for the info CrimsonTide4 and AKATude!

[korkscru]

HALF, YALL, SHE'S LOOKING TO GET H.A.L.F of EVERYTHING. Well, all I can say is that Mike should have known that if he divorced Juanita that this would probably happen. But my girl has been there for Mike. She has his THREE children. She's been doing and has done her part (as far as I know). I wonder what's the REAL reason that Juanita has filed for divorce. I'm guessing that the media is going to spotlight this issue in the weeks to come. It's just very sad that this marriage is coming to an end. I feel expecially sorry for the children. I just hope that their divorce will not be a bad one.

[Kimmie1913]

Well.my best friend who lived in Chicago said his , ehem, marital indiscretions were local gossip for years but hat he had the popularity and the clout to keep them under wraps. Cannot say if iany of the rumors she relayed to me were true but they were interesting.

[Mz. Sports Luva]

This is sad, but true...I have seen w/my own two, as well as, KNOW women who have been approached by him or have even kissed him on the lips--yuck! I remember when he was in B'ham w/the B'ham Barons (after the 1st retirement), I would see him out--ALOT--w/women, that was not his wife (or even black for that matter).

Granted, I don't know the real reason(s) behind their divorce, but I would bet my bottom $ that his philandering played a big part.

[Imperial11]

Originally posted by korkscru
HALF, YALL, SHE'S LOOKING TO GET H.A.L.F of EVERYTHING.

I was always under the impression that marital property (house, cars, land, etc.) is split between the husband and wife unless a prenup indicates otherwise. It seems as though the majority of his wealth was accumulated after his marriage to her, so I would think that she'll get half and then some. On the otherhand, since she is "asking" for half, it must not be as automatic as I thought.

[Kimmie1913]

Originally posted by Imperial11


I was always under the impression that marital property (house, cars, land, etc.) is split between the husband and wife unless a prenup indicates otherwise. It seems as though the majority of his wealth was accumulated after his marriage to her, so I would think that she'll get half and then some. On the otherhand, since she is "asking" for half, it must not be as automatic as I thought.

Actually, marital property is handled a number of different ways and varies from state to state. Community property states, like Cali, divide everything in half. All states do not do this. Maryland, for instance, is an equitable state which means the court attempts to determine everyone's equitable share of the marital property based on their contributions to the family monetarily and non monetarily. It is a bigger balancing act and takes a number of factors into consideration.

Another possible variant is whether or not a state has fault based or no fault divorce laws. States that are no fault will not take into consideration who caused the break up of the marriage where as a fault state may add some weight to the property decision based on who was at fault. These distinctions are why you often see rich people with more than one residence make certain they file for their divorce in Cali rather than another state. Where you file Is the law governing the divorce, not where you were married. And you have to have been a resident of that state before they will take jurisdiction over your divorce.
Can you tell I have practiced family law or what? Hope that helps.

[Ideal08]

I just had to say it. Kimmie1913 (and other GC professionals) I really appreciate your expert (for lack of a better term) input on topics like this. It's nice to have (in 'real' life and on the 'net) friends in high places that know stuff that you don't know and that can answer your questions for you! I think that that is SO cool. It goes beyond networking, we're educating each other, and that's tight.

We now return to your regularly scheduled thread...

[Kimmie1913]

*smiling from ear to ear*
Thank you Ideal08!

You certainly made a Greek sister friend feel appreciated with that one!

[ClassyLady]

This did not come as a surprise to me at all. I heard of MJ getting around town when he was in Chicago. It's a shame though. I like to see successful black men have successful marriages to black women. I really did like Juanita and Michael as a couple.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Kimmie1913
*smiling from ear to ear*
Thank you Ideal08!

You certainly made a Greek sister friend feel appreciated with that one!

No prob, girl, I'm about to send you a PM now that I think about it, lol, I have a question for you!!

[prayerfull]

Aw, somebody please say it ain't so!

I am very disapointed, but not surprised about MJ. I've been wondering for a while about him and his travelling and just how his family fits in to the whole scheme of things. My thought though is that after he came back to playing she probably just had enough.

I've always wondered how some wives of ball players deal with it. Look at Magic and Cookie Johnson. This man caught AIDS and admitted that it came from "f-ing" around. AND SHE STAYED WITH HIM. He caught AIDS and she stayed with him. (Maybe I could say that again?) I really have a hard time with that.

I hope Juanita get's her half, because she deserves it.

[Urbane]

There’s an article on washingtonpost.com that gave some of the same info. But here’s an excerpt that I found interesting…

"I have no problem saying no," Juanita Jordan told Ebony magazine 10 years ago. "If someone didn't step up and say no, there would be no time for his family. . . . I know it makes me look like a b*$%@, but I can't worry about it, because I'm protecting what we have. If that is what I have to be, then I will be a b*%#^." (did a little editing)

She’s dropping hints that she has to make herself and their kids a priority. And 10-yrs later that “someone” = Jordan… prolly doing whatever whenever. Be strong Juanita and GET YOURS! LOL... represent for those who wid men that ain’t got much to take from.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by Urbane
LOL... represent for those who wid men that ain’t got much to take from.

ROFLMP&GBO!