Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson’s wife has filed for divorce. While most Pittsburgh residents going through divorce don’t have millions of dollars and a lucrative career to worry about, the Iversons’ separation does provide several examples of things any divorcing couple needs to contemplate.
Tawanna Iverson first filed for divorce in March 2010. At that time, she claimed the marriage was “irretrievably broken.” She filed a week after Iverson said he was leaving the 76ers for the rest of the season to spend time with his ill daughter. Tawanna Iverson later dropped the divorce petition for reasons she didn’t disclose, but then re-filed for divorce earlier this week – again for reasons that are not known. Iverson is now playing professional basketball in Turkey.
Of course, most people aren’t successful professional athletes like Iverson – they don’t have multiple homes, expensive cars and lots of money that needs to be divided up. But looking at the Iverson’s situation reveals several things all couples, wealthy or not, need to consider:
•· Child custody – Iverson said he was leaving the 76ers to care for his ill daughter. If the Iversons go through with the divorce, who will have custody of her and which parent will be responsible for her medical bills?
•· Careers – Iverson is playing basketball in Turkey. Will his child custody agreement mean he can no longer live there, since it would make visitation impractical?
•· Reconciliation – That Tawanna Iverson withdrew her divorce petition suggests the Iversons went back to the drawing board, at least briefly. A divorcing couple may want obtain help if they are having trouble keeping discussions civil. A third party can go a long way towards making sure things run smoothly.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Allen Iverson’s wife re-files for divorce,” Alexis Stevens, 15 June 2011
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