Minimizing Reputation Damage During High-Profile Divorces

The stresses of divorce are amplified when the divorce involves high-profile couples. The stakes are incredibly high, and whether your divorce goes smoothly or catastrophically, people will see. High-profile divorces can turn into a media circus, causing distress for everyone involved.

If you’re concerned about the effect of your divorce on your reputation, it’s important to work with an attorney with experience in high-profile and high-net-worth divorces. Call Kirk Drennan Law at 205-953-1424 to set up a consultation with our team now.

Prioritize Privacy and Discretion

When couples without a public presence divorce, they only have to be concerned with how they appear to their friends and family. When the entire world watches you divorce, it’s a bit different. Although you may still prioritize the division of assets and child custody, you must also prioritize your privacy. This may mean setting aside your differences with your ex and working together to shield your family from the scrutiny of the media.

You may find this challenging, especially if the split is due to infidelity, financial betrayal, or other mistreatment. You don’t have to be best friends with your ex, but working together to present a united front can help you escape the worst of the world’s assumptions.

How can you take steps to protect your privacy? You may consider a divorce that is mediated or negotiated outside of court. Court documents become public record, allowing the public to pick your divorce to bits. When you negotiate solutions behind closed doors, they are not privy to any of that. You can also come up with appropriate social media conditions with your ex. By limiting what you both say on social media, you make it harder for people to speculate.

Strategic Communication Planning

At all times, you must maintain control of the narrative. Decide what story you want to tell and then how you will tell it. This is where working with the right divorce attorney comes into play; they can put you in touch with publicists and PR professionals who can help you guide what the public says.

If you’re worried about misspeaking, consider bringing on a spokesperson or legal representative who is willing to handle media inquiries about your divorce. This ensures that the same message comes across every time.

This is also a good time to decide what you want to tell and when. Perhaps you’ll address the divorce publicly, perhaps not—either way, you want to be in control of what information you release. If you do decide to address it, know exactly what you want to say and ensure that your statements convey the message you want them to.

If you and your spouse share children, try to focus your messaging on your children. You can also try to shift the focus to shared business interests and their future. You just want to turn the spotlight off of you and onto something boring enough that the public will lose interest.

Protect Your Children

While you and your spouse have a lot to lose in a public divorce, no one is at greater risk than your kids. If their schoolmates’ parents follow the news or gossip magazines, they will likely hear all about any sordid details that become public. No matter what has gone on between you and your ex-partner, you can definitely agree on shielding your children from the fallout of your divorce. This means avoiding public custody battles, avoiding smearing each other in front of them, and getting them the professional mental health support they need.

Choose the Right Attorney

It is crucial to work with a divorce that has handled many high-profile divorces before. They understand the tightrope you’ll have to walk through this process and how they can best support you. They can also put you in touch with other professionals who can help you protect your reputation and privacy.

Plan for Your High-Profile Divorce with Kirk Drennan Law

While high-profile divorce can be an emotionally draining experience, you can get through it. Let us help you as you prepare for your fresh start. Schedule a consultation by reaching out online or calling us at 205-953-1424.