Some lesbian heartbreak be playing out in a Manhattan courtroom.
Opera singer and heiress Halina Avery first met real estate agent Molly Caldwell (pictured, looking sad) during their school days at University of Texas. The couple embarked on a fourteen year relationship that ended in 2006 after Avery Caldwell kissed another girl at a bar.
Now, Caldwell’s suing for spousal support and half of their joint savings – which must be substantial considering Avery’s grandfather founded Avery Dennison office supplies. Avery’s lawyers insist, however, that the ladies weren’t “marriage” and thus Caldwell deserves zilch.
Via NYDN:
Lawyers for Avery contend their client made provisions for her former partner – and that the two signed what was a prenup of sorts. Caldwell is trying to apply the terms of marriage to the relationship when, legally, they don’t apply, Avery’s camp contends.
“They never entered into, nor intended to enter into, a marriage,” said Yetta Kurland, a lawyer for Avery. “If they had intended to marry, or file as domestic partners in New York City, then they would have done so.”
Instead, Avery wants Caldwell to stick to the terms of their 1995 living-together agreement, which states neither woman would make a claim for support, money or property in case of a breakup.
“Any rights she could have had would have been waived in the agreement,” Kurland said. “She’s asking the court to ignore that living-together agreement.”
Caldwell wants the case handled just like a divorce. A ruling from Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Leland DeGrasse is expected shortly.
“What this is, is a divorce,” Goodman said.
Not so, says Avery’s lawyer.
“This former relationship was significant in time and commitment, but it was not a marriage,” Kurland said.
This shit sounds like The L-Word. Also, who leaves a 14-year relationship over a drunken bar kiss? There must have been something else going on, right?
How about we take this to the next level?
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Paul Raposo
“Also, who leaves a 14-year relationship over a drunken bar kiss?”
It depends on where the lips Ms. Avery was kissing, were located o_O
Charley
Joint savings ? If they were joint owners of the savings account, then why didn’t she withdraw her half ?
sam
Bitches are crazy?
Jason
I do get a little tired of LGB folks changing their tune on gay marriage rights (or joint adoptions, etc.) when it seems that the current antiquated law(s) would benefit them better in their immediate circumstances.
What smells a little funny to me here is that they had a negative rights agreement in the first place. Wouldn’t one presume that they intended to share the benefits and detriments of marriage except for those set out in the agreement? I mean, you can’t take away rights that don’t exist, right?
Rhode
Caldwell is the one that cheated and left Avery for an even wealthier woman (shipping heiress). The problem is that the other woman’s family won’t let her get close to the money, thus Caldwell is hanging on to a life insurance on Avery’s head and trying to get the co-op that Avery’s dad purchased for his daughter.
Caldwell isn’t interested in queer rights. She is interested in other people’s money. Dump your partner after 14 years for a wealthier one, you deserve what you get.
no sympathy here
Dan Brooks
Do you all like water?