Popsquire

Popsquire is sad to report that Nicolette Sheridan and Michael Bolton have broken up and called off their engagement.  In short, sometimes a man doesn’t love a woman…

Popsquire’s Pop Quiz: What happens to rings when engagements are called off?

Assuming that the guy buys the ring with his own funds, then the majority of courts likely would consider the engagement ring to be a conditional gift. This means that, until the marriage happens, the gift isn’t final. If the wedding does not occur, then the guy likely would have the right to get the ring back!

Cue tears and music video…

Technorati Tags: break up, engagement, michael bolton, nicolette sheridan, pop culture law, ring, when a man loves a woman

Congrats to Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi!

With the blessing of California’s Supreme Court, the same sex couple got married on Saturday in a tiny ceremony.  According to People, only 19 people attended the wedding at the couple’s home and watched them exchange handwritten vows.

Popsquire is thrilled for anyone who finds love and commitment.  However, the validity of this marriage may be placed on the chopping block in November when California voters will decide whether to modify the state constitution to ban and potentially invalidate thousands of same-sex marriages.

In the meantime, it’s time to celebrate with Ellen and Portia.  Given that they married on Madonna’s birthday, Popsquire dedicates “Keep People Together” to them and all same sex couples who take advantage of California’s current law.  Sing!

Technorati Tags: betty Degeneres, ellen degeneres portia de rossi, gay marriage, homophobia, keep people together, madonna, margaret rogers, pop culture law, same sex marriage, zac posen

Congrats to Jewel!

According to Perez Hilton, she and long time boyfriend, Ty Murray, got married yesterday in the Bahamas.  After ten years of dating, the Perez source reportedly revealed: “Jewel is thrilled! It was so romantic. She looked beautiful! Her dress is gorgeous. The ring is gorgeous. They can’t be happier!”

Popsquire Pop Quiz: Can Americans get married in the Bahamas?

Of course!  Americans, especially celebs, get married in foreign countries all the time.  The trick is to comply with that country’s marriage laws.  If you do, then the USA generally will recognize the union. Click here for the Bahamian requirements.

Remember…Popsquire was the first to spot the problems with Eddie Murphy’s Bora Bora wedding!

Technorati Tags: bahamas, jewel, Marriage, pop culture law, ty murray, wedding

Congrats to actress Maria Bello and boyfriend Bryn Mooser on their engagement!

The 41-year-old Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon star and her 28-year-old writer boyfriend announced their engagement in Bello’s hometown newspaper, The Norristown Times Herald. The PA paper writes that the couple “fell in love over a sheer passion of politics, Africa and cryptozoology.”

Popsquire’s Pop Quiz: What happens to rings when engagements are called off?

Assuming that the guy buys the ring with his own funds, then the majority of courts likely would consider the engagement ring to be a conditional gift. This means that, until the marriage happens, the gift isn’t final. If the wedding does not occur, then the guy likely would have the right to get the ring back!

Of course, Popsquire wishes the couple all the best. Like a good lawyer, however, Popsquire wants you to be prepared for all possibilities!

Technorati Tags: africa, bryn mooser, cryptozoology, engaged, engagement ring, maria bello, Marriage, mummy, norristown times herald, pop culture law

Congratulations to Marissa Jaret Winokur and Judah Miller!

The couple became parents yesterday, when their surrogate mother delivered their first son, Zev Isaac Miller, according to People.  In case you wonder how this represents a pop culture/law collision, Popsquire has one word for you…CONTRACTS!

Some states require a contract among all parties to the surrogacy birthing arrangement, and there are often requirements that the contract address certain issues.  Further, some infertility clinics require a contract between the infertile couple and the surrogate in the event that a dispute develops between the infertile couple and the surrogate as to biological parenthood, parental rights, and custodial aspects of the child to be born.

In celebration of the new addition to Marissa’s family, enjoy this TLC classic, “Baby, Baby, Baby.”

Technorati Tags: custodial dispute, fertility, infertile couple, judah miller, marissa jaret winokur, parental rights, pop culture law, surrogacy, surrogate mother, zev isaac miller

In the August issue of Elle Magazine, Mariah Carey accuses Nick Cannon of committing a federal crime!

Well, not really, but it’s close enough to a collision between pop culture and law for Popsquire to blog about it.  Check out these quotes from Mariah about the fast romance and marriage between her and Nick:

1. “He sort of kidnapped me and took me on a helicopter ride. Then he re-proposed,” she says, referring to the fact that the actor had already asked for her hand a few days earlier.
2. “We really kept the whole relationship aspect of it quiet,” she says. ”I think we didn’t want to give people a chance to be like, ‘What are you doing? What are you talking about? This is so quick…are you sure?’”

Technorati Tags: elle magazine, kidnapped, kidnapping, mariah carey, nick cannon, pop culture law, proposal

After getting married in their sweats last month in Virginia, Timbaland and his baby mama/publicist, Monique Idlett, held a bigger, more formal ceremony in Aruba yesterday, according to US Weekly.

Approximately 300 people attended, including Missy Elliott, Omarion, rapper Magoo, singer Keri Hilson, Ginuwine, producer Nate “Danja” Hills and Interscope/Geffen Chairman Jimmy Iovine.

For a reminder about how foreign marriages can pose collisions between pop culture and law, click here.

Technorati Tags: aruba, baby mama, eddie murphy, ginuwin, jimmy lovine, keri hilson, law, magoo, Marriage, missy elliot, monique idlett, nate hills, pop culture, timbaland, us weekly, wedding

Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen are in court this morning. According to TMZ, Charlie allegedly filed a motion (rumored to be about child visitation issues) that has been sealed by the court, and Denise’s attorney intends to hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. California time.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Child custody disputes sometimes never end, especially when the divorce was bitter. It’s not uncommon for families to find themselves frequently before a judge throughout a child’s youth to deal with visitation and support issues. It’s unfortunate, but it’s reality (or a reality show).

Popsquire will keep you posted!

FOR UPDATE: Click here.

Previous Popsquire Posts:

Denise Richards Wins

Texting Tantrums

It’s Not So Complicated

Technorati Tags: charlie sheen, child custody, denis richards, divorce, family law, it's complicated, law, pop culture

According to Access Hollywood, Christie Brinkley wants her ongoing divorce case to be made public because she’s “still spitting mad” at her ex, Peter Cook.

Among the things that may be revealed if the court makes the case public are allegations that Cook frequents internet porn sites, regularly logs on to swingers sites, and cheated on Brinkley with his 18-year-old assistant.

Popsquire’s perspective…

This move may be a strategic decision to force Cook into some kind of settlement, or it’s just a way to embarrass him. Either way, Brinkley better be careful. Once the information goes public, Brinkley loses control and risks the release of information that may damage her and her children.

In short, Brinkley better have engaged in nothing but model behavior in her past if she wants this to go 100% in her favor!

UPDATE: The court ruled in Brinkley’s favor!

Technorati Tags: billy joel, christie brinkley, divorce, law, new york supreme court, peter cook, pop culture, swinger

As of 5:01 p.m. yesterday, same sex couples can legally wed in California. In yet another collision between pop culture and law, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia di Rossi as well as George Takei and his partner are expected to get married soon.

The location and date of each ceremony are under wraps, but Popsquire will keep you posted!

In the meantime, watch this coverage of the San Francisco wedding between Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84, who have been a couple for over 55 years years. Enjoy!

UPDATE: George Takei and his partner, who have been together for 21 years, obtained a marriage license today and intend to wed on Sept. 14, according to E!Online.

Technorati Tags: ellen degeneres, gay, george takei, homophobia, law, pop culture, portia di rossi, same sex marriage

Congrats to Tori Spelling and Jessica Alba who gave birth to healthy baby girls recently! The names: Honor Marie Warren (Jessica’s daughter with Cash Warren) and Stella Doreen McDermott (Tori’s baby girl with Dean McDermott).

Popsquire Pop Quiz: What is the legal process for changing your name?

Click here to find out!

Technorati Tags: cash warren, dean mcdermott, honor marie, jessica alba. tori spelling, law, name change, pop culture, stella doreen

US Weekly reports that Heidi Montag is ready to marry Spencer Pratt…again! Declaring that Spencer is her “soulmate,” Heidi reveals that Spencer convinced her to plan their wedding again during a secret Mexican vacation.

Popsquire’s Pop Quiz: What happens to rings when engagements are called off?

Assuming that Spencer buys the ring with his own funds, then the majority of courts likely would consider the engagement ring to be a conditional gift. This means that, until the marriage happens, the gift isn’t final.

Given this couple’s track record, Spencer should keep his receipt!

Technorati Tags: diamonds, engagement, heidi montag, law, Marriage, pop culture, ring, spencer pratt, The Hills

Because you are a faithful Popsquire follower, you know that the law permeates everything!  While being interviewed by Ellen Degeneres this week, Will Smith even acknowledged that the law helps keep his marriage together.

He told Ellen: “What I found is divorce just can’t be an option…It’s really that simple. And I think that’s the problem with L.A. – there are so many options. So a huge part of the success for [Jada] and I is that we just removed the other options.”

Yup, avoiding a legal recourse is the glue holding together their marriage.  This makes Popsquire very proud.  In celebration of this collision between pop culture and law, please sing along to Dave Mathews’ “Crash Into Me.”  Sing!

Technorati Tags: divorce, ellen degeneres, jada pinkett smith, law, Marriage, pop culture, will smith

Congratulations to Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz! According to People, the couple married this weekend at Ashlee’s parents’ Los Angeles home.  Joe Simpson performed the non-denominational ceremony, Jessica served as maid of honor, and Wentz’s English bulldog, Hemingway, was the ring-bearer.

Popsquire pop quiz: What are the legal requirements to obtain a marriage license in California?

1. California requires a picture ID (e.g., Drivers License or other valid identification).  Some counties recommend bringing certified copies of your birth certificates, and you need to know your parents names, mothers’ maiden name and places of their birth.
2. You must show proof of divorce, death or annulment. You need to bring a copy of your final divorce decree if you have divorced within the 90 days through past year (varies by county.)
3. It will cost you approximately $45.00 to get married in California, but the fees vary from county to county.
4. If either the bride or groom is under 18, at least one of the minor’s parents, or legal guardian, must appear with the couple. Certified copies of birth certificates are required. The couple must also schedule an appointment with a counselor and then appear before a California superior court judge.

In celebration of the Pimpson wedding, enjoy this 30 Seconds To Mars hit.

Technorati Tags: ashlee simpson, english bulldog, jessica simpson, joe simpson, law, Marriage, marry, non-denominational, pete wentz, pop culture, pregnancy, wedding

Because you will need your fix of pop culture and law collisions over the weekend, consider checking out “What Happens In Vegas.” Starring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher, Vegas explores a drunken, Britney-Spears-style-spur-of-the-moment visit to a Vegas wedding chapel.

The morning after, the regretful marrieds (Cameron and Ashton) are ready to file for an annulment once they return home, but then Ashton plays a slot machine with Cameron’s quarter, and wins a $3 million jackpot.

Oooh…can’t you just smell the legal collisions?!? Can they qualify for an annulment? Who has the rights to the winnings? Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: annulment, ashton kutcher, cameron diaz, law, lottery, pop culture, wedding chapel, what happens in vegas