The Shaq attack is back…in separation proceedings, but this time he’s
not the one attacking. In 2007 Shaq filed for divorce from his wife because
he suspected her of hiding assets. The parties reconciled shortly thereafter.
This time Shaunie commenced the separation. She filed for legal separation
in Los Angeles on November 9, 2009, after leaving Florida, where the parties
resided, with their four children.
Despite rumours of an affair between Shaq and Laura Govan, why Shaunie
filed for separation is uncertain. Her motives for filing for separation
in California instead of Florida are clearer. As TMZ reports, spouse’s
generally receive more support when they apply for divorce in California.
Would fleeing the jurisdiction to get larger
spousal support payments work for Shaunie if she fled to Ontario instead of L.A? How would
Ontario courts deal with the fact that this couple separated once in the past?
Fleeing to Ontario
In Ontario, you can only issue an application for divorce if you have been
primarily resident in Ontario for one year. This means that if Shaunie
fled to Ontario instead of Los Angeles, she would not be able to apply
for divorce until one year later.
Of course, Shaunie need not apply for divorce right away. In Ontario, parties
can apply for an Equalization Payment without applying for Divorce. But,
this would not help Shaunie if she fled to Ontario because property rights
are determined by the law of the place where both spouses had their last
common habitual residence, which would be Florida, not Ontario.
If Shaunie fled to Ontario with her children, Shaq would likely be able
to have the children returned to him because taking children to another
country away from a parent is considered child abduction under the Hague
Convention. So, if Shaunie took the children to Ontario instead of Los
Angeles, Shaq could apply to have his children returned to the United
States because both Canada and the United States are signatories of the Hague.
Past Reconciliation
Ontario family lawyers are required to discuss the possibility of reconciliation
with their clients in appropriate circumstances (e.g. where abuse is not
an issue). Perhaps the 2007 reconciliation would encourage a family law
lawyer believe that Shaq and Shaunie are likely to reconcile again. After
all, this is the parties’ second attempt at separation and the third
time’s the charm.