I really thought this had already happened, but I was wrong. David Arquette filed for divorce from his estranged wife Courteney Cox yesterday, on their 13 year wedding anniversary. Not only did I think that David and Courtney had already filed the divorce paperwork, I thought that divorce had already gone through. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? They separated in October 2010, after widespread reports of a months-long estrangement as well as rumors of Courteney’s affair/relationship with her Cougartown costar Brian Van Holt. CC and David have been separated since then, although they really did seem to be working on their relationship for the sake of their daughter Coco. Maybe David just felt like it was finally time to end things officially?
David Arquette has officially filed legal documents to finally divorce his estranged wife, Courteney Cox … TMZ has learned. Arquette cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the divorce. David filed the documents on Friday … right before he went to Israel and got Bar Mitzvah’d.
He is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their daughter, Coco, who turns 8 tomorrow. He did not ask for spousal or child support. There is no mention of how the property will be divided.
According to the docs, David is representing himself in the divorce — he does not have a lawyer. David signed the divorce documents on March 23, 2012 … so it appears he’s been holding them for nearly 3 months.
The couple married on June 12, 1999 — exactly 13 years ago — after meeting on the set of “Scream” back in 1995.
David and Courteney first announced their separation back in October 2010 … with both sides saying they were “best friends” who were committed to raising their daughter together.
At the time of the initial separation, the couple released a joint statement saying, “The reason for this separation is to better understand ourselves and the qualities we need in a partner and for our marriage.”
David and Courteney appeared on the Howard Stern radio show together last year– and when Howard asked if they would ever reconcile David made it clear he WANTED to … but Courteney insisted they were better off apart.
He’s representing himself? That worries me. Not that I think Courteney will necessarily take advantage of him or anything, but for the big stuff (death, divorce, wills and trusts), I really do think you should have a lawyer.
So, at long last, Courteney and David are really, officially done. It was messy, and at times the TMI was exhaustive, but I ended up kind of liking how CC and David handled everything. It was messy and it felt real – like two people that cared about each other, but had outgrown each other.
PS… Courteney and David aren’t the only couple to formalize the end of their relationship in the past week. People Magazine reports that a couple of 115-year-old tortoises are also divorcing after the old lady tortoise beat the sh-t out of her husband. So… it could totally be worse for CC and David. They could have spent 36 years together only to end up in a physically abusive situation. Poor tortoises.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
LOL on the tortoises. And about dang time on the Cox-Arquettes.
Nothing says “Happy Anniversary!” like divorce papers. (You just gotta be past that 10 year mark, like me.)
Or “happy birthday!” My friend’s hubby told her on her birthday he wanted a divorce. Really, dude? smh
I’m just glad I’m past that 10 year mark. I can sleep with whomever I choose and receive spousal support for forever if I don’t get re-married. *SPOILER ALERT* I won’t!
(And, being in Cali, I’ll get half of his pot to piss in!)
ps – What an asshole! Though I could quote you some gems (NO JOKE) that would make you want to vom.
pps – Representing yourself is NEVER the way!!!!!
Hey, get that money, girl! I love community property states. 🙂
I think David filing for divorce on their wedding anniversary is his final gift to Courteney. He was so resistant to the idea of getting divorced but it seems he has finally realized there’s no turning back. I sincerely think they tried hard to reconcile and make it work and I am glad they are being mature adults about ending their marriage and remaining friendly.
Someone needs to teach Lady Tortoise about domestic violence. It is never okay to try and rip your partner’s shell off.
^ this
Seems to me like it was a childish little slap on the face. He is still a man child and this just proves it.
If he wanted to be cruel and make it a slap in the face, he’d have a lawyer. Plus Courtney filed her own docs today and they are exactly the same and signed the exact same day which means David and Courtney probably collaborated in creating the docs. This is an uncontested divorce.
That slow-ass skank needs to learn her green ass some RESPONSIBILITY.
About time is right. I’ve always been suspicious of them as a couple. He seems like such a man child that I can’t imagine him in a successful marriage with anyone.
As for Courtney, people love to bash Jen Aniston for her tweaked face but I think she looks a heck of a lot more natural than Courtney does now. Her face looks like wax or silly putty. What a shame because she was the most beautiful “Friend,” imo.
I had no idea that they were separated all this time! I thought they were divorced.
ITA re: Courtney’s face. She looks like she is melting.
I was thinking the same thing – like what did she have done to her face and why are her eyes so odd looking. Did she look like this when “Friends” was on? I can’t remember. Perhaps it is just natural aging.
That’s an original gift for an anniversary. how romantic.
Depending on how David and Courteney have kept their assets to this point, they do not necessarily have to have attorneys. If they have agreed to a no-fault divorce and their joint assets are limited to the marital home(s) and liquid assets that can be quit-claimed or divided, or if they have gone through a separate financial arbitration, they could be avoiding using legal represenatation for Coco’s sake. They will be able to show her it was amicable and that they still cared for each other.
Mr. Tarheel and his first wife did not have lawyers. They went online, researched how to handle their own divorce, pulled all the stuff out of the cabinets and divvyed it up, figured out who got the house and who got a lump sum, and moved on. It wasn’t a “rich” person divorce, but it was a long-term relationship and they owned real estate and had investments. They are still friends to this day. She and I are polar opposites, and if he wanted her type, he wouldn’t be married to me. It doesn’t hurt, of course, that she is in a relationship with a fantastic woman who we adore as well.
Of course, as I’ve recently posted, I explained that should he ever try to file for divorce from me, I will not only not be amicable, I will do physical damage and he will have to crawl on four bloody stumps down the steps of my house. I think he enjoys having a little temper in his life.
To add to this, you can definitely represent yourself in an UNCONTESTED divorce when both parties have agreed to how assets should be divided and there is no reason to suspect that there are gross disparities in how versed and sophisticated the parties are by virtue of intellect, wealth etc… so as to rule out any posibilitity of undue influence or duress in the signing of documents.
It is also purely state or provincial matter specific with regards to whether one can adequately self represent themselves. Also note that when we are talking power of attorneys and creation of wills and codicils, these are ENTIRELY separate legal matters that can be handled separately from the legal matter of divorce (for representation purposes). So he can and will most likely need a lawyer or at least some ILA for those matters but for the actual divorce proceedings, he can rep himself. Fer sure.
That’s too bad. I like “opposites attract” couples like them (probably because they’re comparatively rare), with Cox appearing to have a more sensible, tightly wound personality and Arquette seeming zany & impulsive.
But mainly, I’m disappointed that there are no pictures of dueling tortoises accompanying this post.
I feel sad for him because I think he really wanted to stay married. I think it’s also pretty clear that as a hippy child/free spirit he won’t bilk CC for all she’s worth (she’s worth alot with all of that Friends money).
Courtney seems to still take care of him also since she’s kept him involved with her production company.
I have to give them both kudos.
Arquette cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the divorce. David filed the documents on Friday June 8th… right before he went to Israel and got Bar Mitzvah’d.
^from the website. he filed Friday, media just got wind of it today
The ONLY way to file for divorce in Cali is “irreconcilable differences.” I laugh whenever I read that in the tabs or on sites, because they act like it’s JUST irreconcilable difference. In reality, it’s like our car insurance – NO FAULT. Because God forbid ANYBODY take responsibility for their actions!) /rant
It’s 5:30 and full dawn here…I’m going back to bed!
It’s a shame they couldn’t work it out, but as long as they can stay friends and be good parents, that’s what’s more important.
I know someone who agree to a no-lawyer divorce, and then the wife turned around and got a lawyer and got WAY more than her fair share. Afterwards, everyone could see how she plotted and maneuvered everything to her favor for years prior to initiating the divorce. Gross. Hopefully these two have everything all worked out already and it’s all amicable.
He may be a man-child, but I have been so impressed with the way they worked through the emotional pain, especially him. and kept the love for each other and do what’s best for Co-Co. Bs was on The Talk months ago. But his maturity towards the happiness of his wife and daughter and his addiction masking emotions I came away impressed by.
It’s good that he filed. For a long time, he seemed to be the one who wouldn’t let go, which is quite a switch, since the woman is usually the one willing to fight for a marriage. But lately, he seems to be at peace about the whole thing. Hopefully, the peace will remain.
David never ever wanted his marriage to end. Courteney was the one that initiated the separation and ultimately made it very clear that she didn’t want to reconcile, so I see this as David’s final anniversary present to his wife: The divorce she’s wanted for years.
These two clearly still have a lot of love and respect for each other, so I doubt that money or assets will be a source of conflict.
It’s very sad that the marriage didn’t work out, but I think it’s lovely that they managed to part on good terms.
“PS… Courteney and David aren’t the only couple to formalize the end of their relationship in the past week. People Magazine reports that a couple of 115-year-old tortoises are also divorcing after the old lady tortoise beat the sh-t out of her husband. So… it could totally be worse for CC and David. They could have spent 36 years together only to end up in a physically abusive situation. Poor tortoises.”
LOL! I like your spin on the situation.
I think he is so cute.