No one was shocked by the recent celebrity divorce of Kim Kardashian, but the divorce of Katy Perry and Russell Brand caught many New York pop music fans by surprise. Perry is one of the top pop stars in the world and has spent much of the last year touring. Brand is a British comedian and actor who routinely scores high-profile television hosting gigs. Together, the couple was a quirky and unexpected pair that seemed to share each other's odd sense of humor. Sadly the marital bliss did not last and Brand filed for divorce after 14 months of marriage.

Most marriages in New York last longer that Kim Kardashian's 72-day marriage or Perry's 14-month marriage, but many of the issues remain the same. Many people rely on experienced New York divorced attorneys to help guide them through the mediation and property division process. It is important that an attorney advocate a client's interests effective both in mediation negotiations and before a judge.

Another facet that often arises in the context of the average New York divorce is child custody. Neither the Kardashian nor the Perry divorces will involve child custody issues, but many divorces do. Child custody is often the most emotionally charged area in any divorce. It is important to find an attorney that can understand the legal and the emotional issues involved and advocate for your interests and rights.

It is important for even those parents who know that they will not to be the custodial parent to maintain healthy relationships with their children and an experienced divorce attorney can make sure that the rights of a noncustodial parent are preserved.

Source: MSNBC, "Who walks away richer from Perry-Brand split?" Leslie Gornstein, Jan. 4, 2011