It’s a sad day when any marriage ends, but the news that Sara Kapfer
has filed for divorce from actor Cuba Gooding Jr. is particularly troubling.
The couple, who were high school sweethearts, have been married for 20
years, which is an eternity by Hollywood’s standards.
Gooding Jr., 46, perhaps best known for his Oscar-winning role in
Jerry Maguire, has upcoming appearances in
Carry Me Home and
Gridlocked. However, the couple have been together since before Gooding Jr.’s
breakout role in
Boyz n the Hood (1991).
According to
US Magazine, the parties have three children, Spencer, 19, Mason, 17, and Piper, 8.
Although Gooding Jr. has always spoken positively about his marriage and
family, last year while on
The View, he admitted that he was struggling to make family time while performing in
The Trip to Bountiful on Broadway. Gooding Jr. commented,
“When you do films, you’re away from the family, but I can still
fly them in or fly home to see them, so… my wife and I…
have this rule – never go more than three or four weeks without seeing
each other… But I knew this commitment meant that I would be in
New York City for a long time; I’m here possibly through September,
so it’s a bit of a pull on that to keep the household together. But
she allowed me to be indulgent for obvious reasons… this is a once
in a lifetime opportunity.”
The Daily Mail reports that
Kapfer is seeking joint legal (decision making) and physical custody of
the parties’ children. She is further claiming that child support will be determined at a later time.
While the custodial arrangements will have some impact on Gooding Jr.’s
support obligation, the actor is likely looking at a fairly hefty support
obligation. Gooding Jr. will be obligated to pay child support for his
two minor children, and likely also his adult child, provided he is enrolled
in post-secondary education or remains dependent on his parents.
However, Gooding Jr. is also looking at considerable
spousal support. In Ontario, where parties have a 20 year traditional marriage, the support
recipient is entitled to indefinite support pursuant to the Spousal Support
Advisory Guidelines (SSAG). That being said, the support recipient does
have some obligation to attempt to become self-sufficient. And while Kapfer’s
experience is unclear, she is still relatively young and seemingly able to work.
All in all, we hope that the parties can resolve their matter amicably.
Thus far, Gooding Jr. has not released a statement.