Ruling in Dodgers’ divorce case expected Tuesday

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Frank and Jamie McCourt are expected to find out Tuesday whether a judge has thrown out an agreement that could determine the ownership of the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon is expected to rule Tuesday on the validity of a marital agreement that would provide Frank McCourt with sole ownership of the Dodgers, according to multiple sources familiar with the case.

Jamie McCourt has asked Gordon to invalidate the agreement.

If Frank prevails, Jamie would have to decide whether to appeal Gordon’s ruling — most appeals are unsuccessful — or proceed to other legal steps in which she could be awarded money but could not be awarded an ownership share of the team.

If Jamie prevails, the ruling would not be expected to have an immediate impact on the day-to-day operations of the Dodgers. Frank would be expected to employ other legal strategies to dispute Jamie’s claim to co-ownership of the team.

Frank could decide to appeal the ruling. He already has notified the court he wants to make another claim to sole ownership of the Dodgers, this one based on the concept that he bought the team with a company he established before marriage, and that he is and always has been the sole party with title to the team.

Frank’s attorneys have said such a trial could be completed in one day and that all the necessary evidence is in the court record. Jamie’s attorneys have said such a trial could require up to 60 days, preceded by months to collect new evidence.

The McCourts also could use Gordon’s ruling to renew settlement talks, with the validity of the agreement no longer a wild card in negotiations.

The two sides have been unable to reach a settlement despite having held several rounds of discussions -- with and without mediators — over the past year.

-- Bill Shaikin