Schwarzenegger asks court not to award spousal support to Shriver
Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked a court not to award spousal support to Maria Shriver, his wife of 25 years, according to papers filed this week.
Schwarzenegger’s form response to Shriver’s divorce petition, dated Wednesday, contained little indication of how the former first couple’s split would play out other than his request that no spousal support be awarded. He also asked that attorney fees and legal costs be jointly paid.
Shriver, whose petition came weeks after her husband publicly acknowledged fathering a child with a longtime household staffer, had asked for support in her court filing. Her attorney, Laura Wasser, requested that costs for the lawsuit be shouldered by Schwarzenegger.
PHOTOS: Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Divorce attorneys said the move on Schwarzenegger’s part was unusual but may be an indication of the size of the community property to which Shriver is eventually entitled.
Lynn Soodik, a Santa Monica divorce specialist, said the request may show that Schwarzenegger believes the assets Shriver will receive from the divorce will generate enough interest to support the lifestyle she has become accustomed to during the years of their marriage.
“His position is probably that she’s going to have enough money that she won’t need the support,” she said. “Either that, or he’s being really aggressive.”
Attorneys said the couple’s divorce is likely to be held out of the public eye for the most part, either through a settlement or before a private mediator.
They are seeking joint custody of their two minor children, Patrick, 17, and Christopher, 13.
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