March 10, 2009: Another World, or: Birth (of a new singledom)

Anne Heche divorce final; actor to pay $515,000 in divorce settlement.

by Jeffrey Cottrill

It's been a rocky two years for Anne Heche, but it's all over now.

The actor (and former squeeze of comedian Ellen DeGeneres) has finalized her divorce from 33-year-old freelance cinematographer Coleman Laffoon, after more than two years of dirty-laundry-airing. While the former couple had reached an agreement on child support in June, they didn't reach a divorce settlement regarding property, child custody, and spousal support until March 4.

People reported on March 9 that Heche, 39, will pay a lump sum of $515,000 to Laffoon. In addition, he will get 50% of their community property, which includes stocks and assets worth more than $700,000. Laffoon has waived his right to get spousal support from Heche, and she will keep the couple's Vancouver estate.

More information on child custody and divorce: Helping Your Custody Case Joint or Sole Custody? Child Sharing Interstate Child Custody Disputes Visitation and the Inflexible Ex

Meanwhile, documents filed on March 9 with Los Angeles Superior Court reveal that Heche and Laffoon will have equal custody of their seven-year-old son, Homer, when both of them are in Los Angeles. Heche will pay three-quarters of Homer's tuition for private school, as well as $3,700 per month to Laffoon in child support.

Heche and Laffoon, who met on the set of a DeGeneres comedy special, began dating shortly after her breakup with the comic, which had occurred in August 2000. They married on September 1, 2001; they legally separated in late 2006, and Laffoon filed for divorce in February 2007, citing irreconcilable differences.

Prior to her high-profile relationship with DeGeneres, Heche had dated comic actor Steve Martin and rock musician Lindsey Buckingham.

Anne Heche began her acting career on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns; she was a regular on the show from 1987 to 1991, and her role won her a Daytime Emmy Award. During the 1990s, she had roles in the movies Donnie Brasco, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Wag the Dog, and Six Days Seven Nights among others. Most recently, she starred in the ABC dramedy series Men in Trees for two seasons.

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