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Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

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121–130 of 134 posts

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#121

To be honest I have never been what you would call a huge Elon Musk fan but this was a very well laid out case. The amazing part of course is even though he had a prenup, the judges and lawyers have allowed this to go on so long he has huge legal fees. I have seen this happen to several entrepreneur friends of mine--in fact (true story)-- I know what entrepreneur who had a prenum and divorced and remarried the same w…

> I know what entrepreneur who had a prenum and divorced and remarried the same woman TWICE. Got soaked both times even w/ prenup. That doesn't sound too clever to me. Once bitten twice shy right ?

The guy married her before his first startup...sold it for 800m...she divorced him. He was on is back. Did another startup--remarried same woman. Divorced again. Taken to bank both times. Prenup thrown out both times. It ain't right.

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But hey, I'm getting married next month, so take what I say with a grain of salt ;) I'm happily married (6 years in October) and I believe my wife is a great asset to me. However, I believe that marriage remains a major financial and emotional risk.

>marriage remains a major financial and emotional risk Things that genuinely make your life better typically are.

Yes, like entrepreneurship.

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>This whole thing is a bit surprisingly to me since it seems like Elon covered his bases with the separate property agreement. This agreement was put in place after they were already married, right? That's what this case is basically about: determining if an agreement made in such a manner is valid.

The article suggests that the document was negotiated over a 3.5-month period, with the wedding occurring part-way through it. It's not unreasonable to claim that both parties went to the altar with a basic idea of what was going to be in the final draft.

Perhaps, but it's a different legal situation (at least at present) and plus we're getting Elon's side of the story now. We may be tempted to pick his side because he makes cool things but that doesn't make what he says true.

Which is why, honestly, outsiders should know as little as possible about these situations. We can't know what actually happens so why do we want to be in a situation to demonize one person and feel sorry for another based on this lack of information?

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or in Musk's case, are married and then strike it rich.

Nonsense, Elon Musk was already a millionaire from the sale of zip2 to Compaq in 1999, he married in 2000.

Whoops, my bad. (I extrapolated the "met in college" quote on his wikipedia entry and the "married young" (which isn't actually true) quote on his ex-wifes).

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#125

The lesson here is: marriage is a very risky proposition, particularly if you are male or much richer (even just potentially) than your partner. (PS: Much respect for Musk.)

It can be a risk. But a good partner can also be an asset. In the book The Millionaire Next Door, many of the interviewees credit their spouses (usually a wife) for helping them succeed and keeping expenses low. You still have to pick the right partner, but if you can do that, it could be a big plus. But hey, I'm getting married next month, so take what I say with a grain of salt ;)

But hey, I'm getting married next month, so take what I say with a grain of salt ;)

Congratulations :) In spite of the subject matter of this story, let's send well-wishes ahead of a joyful and successful marriage for you both.

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#126
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know about other countries, but most states in the US do not recognize common law marriage.

It's a British law thing so most commonwealth countries have this.

The law varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but here in Ontario, common law status has very real consequences. Not all of them are bad and in fact if you read this FAQ on property division, it sounds like what people would expect when two people break up (e.g., joint assets are divided in half, each person keeps what belonged to them solely, etc.). Common law partners are also eligible for spousal support upon separation. People think I'm weird for not wanting to live with a girlfriend, but common law status creeps up fast and often before people have had the time to realize if the person is right for them in the long run.

http://www.common-law-separation-canada.com/property-divisio...

http://www.common-law-separation-canada.com/spousal-support....

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or in Musk's case, are married and then strike it rich.

Nonsense, Elon Musk was already a millionaire from the sale of zip2 to Compaq in 1999, he married in 2000.

It's more a lesson to get pre-nup because not only you can get screwed in a divorce, your partners and shareholders could to. So, if your significant other ask why you need a pre-nup hand them that line and it so happens to be true.

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#128
post #37

You'd think someone as smart as Elon Musk would have followed the advice of Felix Dennis: "If it flies, floats or fornicates, always rent it.. it’s cheaper in the long run."

My girlfriend has been an amazing source of support while I've been working on my business. I won't say I couldn't've done it without her, but it would certainly be less fun and a bit more challenging.

"My girlfriend..."

So you're following Felix's advice then :-)

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#129
why is divorce so complicated that lawyers can justify charging so much? at it's simplest it could be a form that the two spouses sign and date, perhaps with witnesses, then you submit it somewhere. i realize there can be disagreements about who gets what and that may take time to negotiate, but why would that require thousands of billable hours by lawyers? This is not rocket science, no programming needed, just people talking to each other, and only 2 needed at a minimum. Plus divorces are so common and have been happening for over a century I imagine, so you'd think it would be highly standardized and streamlined by now. UNLESS perhaps lawyers/lawmakers were themselves trying to keep it complex and manual to preserve job security.

anybody? anybody? grellas?

Re: Elon Musk: Correcting the Record About My Divorce

#130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It can be a risk. But a good partner can also be an asset. In the book The Millionaire Next Door, many of the interviewees credit their spouses (usually a wife) for helping them succeed and keeping expenses low. You still have to pick the right partner, but if you can do that, it could be a big plus. But hey, I'm getting married next month, so take what I say with a grain of salt ;)

But hey, I'm getting married next month, so take what I say with a grain of salt ;) Congratulations :) In spite of the subject matter of this story, let's send well-wishes ahead of a joyful and successful marriage for you both.

Thank you, I appreciate it :)

We've been together 7 years and living together over a year, so I don't feel like it's too much of a gamble.

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