Frank and Jamie McCourt officially divorced -- but court case goes on

Frank and Jamie McCourt are officially divorced, even though their divorce proceedings could last several more years.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon granted a request to change the McCourts' marital status from separated to divorced, according to court documents. 

The status change has no impact on the proceedings. Any assets determined to be community property would be considered as shared assets through the date of the separation -- July 7, 2009 -- rather than the date of the divorce.

Lynn Soodik, a family law attorney in Santa Monica, said a status change is not uncommon, even as parties work their way through lengthy divorce proceedings. Soodik, speaking generally, said an official divorce decree would allow a party to get remarried or to file in a lower tax bracket.

The McCourts married in 1979. They filed for divorce 13 months ago.

The McCourts have until the end of this month to accept or reject a mediator's proposed settlement. If the proposal is rejected, as expected, then Gordon has until Dec. 28 to rule on the validity of a marital agreement that would give Frank sole control of the Dodgers. Jamie has asked Gordon to throw out that agreement, which could make the team community property.

Either side could appeal Gordon's ruling, and Frank has promised to try another legal strategy to secure sole ownership if Gordon rules for Jamie.

-- Bill Shaikin

Photo: Jamie and Frank McCourt in 2008. Credit: Carlos Delgado / Associated Press

Comments

[sc]

who cares???? Just make them go away

[mm]

lower tax bracket?!? hasn't it been years since they paid ANY taxes whatsoever? disgraceful.

[A. Moreno]

Give it up and go back to Boston you clowns.

[Tommy]

Whose house am I supposed to visit for Thanksgiving dinner now?

[Rob M.]

Make them sell then make them go away.

[Steve Wimer]

That marriage was an expensive tale about a man who overpaid for some cheap tail.

[Frank McCourt]

God, we had great hair...

[BGeorge]

Dear MM: I doubt if you really know whether The McCourts paid any taxes or not. Unless, of course. you were their accountant. The tax breaks for the wealthy and for business owners may indeed be disgraceful and everyone, including you, is entitled to their own opinion. However, one is not entitled to make up one's own facts.

[Herman Baca II]

Mean while LA is a target for more cheap shots & seasons like '10 where we watch a team we dominate sneak in & take OUR rightful title as Champions ! ..............
Frank get over yourself & sell ! I know your ex-wife took your son's inheritance away from the McCourts but cut your losses rebuild & rise again in a smaller market franchise . You gotta let Los Angelino's go ! The longer you hold us, the more we recent you as our owner & will lead to a lack of support .

[tony almonte]

Hey McCourts....now that you are divorced from each other, let us divorce from you! SCRAM your sorry butts back to beantown.
And you B(oy)George, high tail it with them!

[SiR]

I hate the McCourts...my beloved Dodgers will not succeed until these clowns sell the team!

[Gaston Hinostroza]

OK - enter Bud Selig all freaking ready, huh?

[derekg]

LOL at lower tax brackets. These leaches have not only plundered a civic treasure, they have done so without paying federal or state taxes for six years.

[derekg]

BGeorge,

The fact that the McCourts have made over $100M since acquiring the dodgers and paid zero federal or state taxes is documented in an LA Times story from February. See below:

McCourts pitch a shutout on taxes
February 24, 2010|MICHAEL HILTZIK
To everyone who claims that our wealthiest citizens pay more than their fair share of income taxes and we should cut them a break because they're the ones who, you know, create jobs in our economy, I have four words for you:

Frank and Jamie McCourt.

The McCourts, who own the Los Angeles Dodgers (so she says; he says he's the owner and she's not), jointly pocketed income totaling $108 million from 2004 through 2009, according to documents Jamie McCourt recently filed in the couple's divorce case in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

On that sum, they paid zero federal and state income tax. Jamie suggests that some tax breaks will apply this year too.

This reminds me of the old line about how true scandal lies not in what's illegal, but what's legal. It's certainly an edifying window into the lengths some people will go to avoid paying taxes.

The court papers indicate that the McCourts deliberately structured their business at least partially to allow them to live tax-free.

[Jesse Zamarripa]

It would be nice if these crooks would sell the team to real owner.

[Mark]

The Dodgers have just signed Dana Eveland and Oscar Villerreal. This pretty much sums up the McCourt's legacy.

[Stephen J. Smith]

Frank and Jamie, just please go away. You have wrecked the Dodgers with your soap opera hogwash.

[Mick 0]

Bud Selig and MLB Board of Governors are expected to approve a plan to expand the McCourts' divorce to three rounds in 2012. Under the proposal, 4 additional "wild card" parties can qualify for the suit, as long as they have a pulse and a decent starting staff. "When something is long and boring, the only way to fix it is making longer and even more boring," said Selig in a prepared statement.

[hf2hvit]

OH, THE SANCTITY OF HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE...

[Top Story! Weekly]

Check out this sketch from Top Story! Weekly at iO West every Sunday in Hollywood : how will the McCourts split custody of the Dodgers?!

http://www.topstoryweekly.com/2010/09/09/watch-day-in-mccourt-from-top-story-weekly-episode-68-my-name-is-also-earl/

[Leon Trotsky]

Now Frank can get his freak on. Hey Charlie Sheen there is a new playa in town.

[alanw19]

Many steps are involved in the franchise regaining its rightful place as a source of pride, not embarrasssment (from owners), and regular contender for the World Series.

This is a step in that direction. Unquestionably, more are necessary (McCourts no longer associated with the team being one of the final ones).

For that reason, this is good news for the Dodgers. I hope the remaining steps come as soon as possible, though we all know it will be measured in years rather than months. It is my fervent hope, against the worst of my fears, that it is not measured in decades.

My loyalty does not waver for the Dodgers - the team and franchise are bigger than any owner or player. Like Jackie, I'm true blue. And dang proud of it.

[Steve Careeta]

Now that Frank and Jamie MCcourt are divorced maybe frank can shmooze over to the playboy mansion and get some friendly bachelor advice from Hef. All work and no play makes frankie poo a dull boy. Yep, I can see it now, frank cheering the dodgers on, draped around him a bevy of LA's beauties yelling thank you to Jamie MCcourt on the dodgervision screen. I luv LA, we luv it.