Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders is ending ‘a certain romance’ and just filed for divorce from his wife Breana McDow-Helders after two years of ‘crying lightning.’ But alimony may not be an issue in this short-term marriage. Why?
R U Mine?
According to the divorce papers filed, Breana and Matt separated at the end of October. Matt is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their daughter.
Some reports though, Helders says they’ve mutually agreed to not pay each other spousal support after their two-year marriage.
Florida Alimony
Alimony is a frequently written about subject in Florida. Spousal support is governed in Florida by a statute. The alimony statute requires judges to consider several factors, including the duration of the marriage.
The duration of the marriage is an important factor to consider in awarding alimony. For purposes of determining alimony, there is a rebuttable presumption that a short-term marriage is a marriage having a duration of less than 7 years.
By contrast, a moderate-term marriage is a marriage having a duration of greater than 7 years but less than 17 years. Not surprisingly, a long-term marriage is a marriage having a duration of 17 years or greater.
The length of a marriage is measured from the period of time from the date of marriage until the date of filing of an action for dissolution of marriage. This can be important, for example, after a marriage of short duration, permanent alimony would not usually be available unless the trial judge makes written findings of exceptional circumstances to award permanent alimony.
Worst Nightmare
The couple got hitched in Italy back in June 2016. They have a 3-year-old daughter together. It’s unclear what led to the split.
Matt and Breanna started dating way back in 2011, and they got engaged in 2013 before tying the knot in Europe.
Matt is one of the founding members of the indie rock band, and he’s recorded six studio albums with the Arctic Monkeys. The band has also been nominated for five Grammy Awards.
He has played drums and provided backing vocals on all six of the band’s studio albums. Matt also provided the drum tracks on Iggy Pop’s 2016 studio album Post Pop Depression and played on Lady Gaga’s 2016 album Joanne.
The Daily Mail article is here.
Photo credit Bill Ebbesen