August 1, 2007: Split me baby one more time -- Britney Spears' divorce official

by Jeffrey Cottrill

After almost nine months of separation, the divorce of pop princess Britney Spears and rapper/dancer Kevin Federline has been finalized.

A Superior Court judge signed the papers on July 30 in Los Angeles, officially ending the troubled union. The financial details have not been publicized, but they stem from a prenuptial agreement. The artists known as Britney and K-Fed are going to share custody of their two sons. However, sources close to Federline have suggested that, due to concern over his ex-wife's unusual public behavior in recent months, he may seek full custody of 23-month-old Sean Preston and 11-month-old Jayden James.

"The divorce is final," Spears' attorney Laura Wasser told reporters outside the court, according to US magazine. "[Britney] is okay with the arrangement. She would like to be with the kids more." She added "I think they were each hoping they would have more custody time, but hopefully that can be worked out."

But TMZ reported that the singer is afraid that the children may be kidnapped, due to the possibility of the timeshare schedule becoming public knowledge. Wasser stated that if the media has "a greater ability to ascertain the physical whereabouts of the minor children... such information greatly increases the chances that the actions of the media could threaten the safety of the minor children to criminals who might target the children for financial gain."

There will be a full hearing on the custody issue on August 14.

Spears had filed for divorce last November, citing irreconcilable differences. Following the separation, she had a widely reported emotional breakdown that ended in a month-long stay at a Malibu rehab center, after both Federline and her mother threatened to take away the children.

Although her marriage with Federline lasted less than three years, it outlasted her first one. She was married to Jason Alexander (not to be confused with the Seinfeld star) for just over two days.

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