One of the issues in McTiernan v. Dubrow was whether or not the producer’s business contained goodwill.
The parties were married for about nine years. The wife was a famous actress and the husband a famous producer. During and after the marriage the husband directed some high grossing movies.
During the trial, the wife argued that the husband’s business possessed goodwill. The family law judge found that goodwill in the husband’s business existed, because the definition of goodwill is the expectation of continued patronage. The judgment divided the goodwill equitably. The husband appealed the order believing that goodwill could not exist in his expertise as a movie director.
The appellate court agreed with husband. It found that the husband could not sell his expertise. Thereofre, it could not be considered goodwill. In other words his talent could not be the basis for goodwill.
If you need legal advice and are looking for a family law lawyer in Orange County to address a dissolution issue such as the goodwill in a business or any other divorce matter such as legal separation, annulment, custody, child support, spousal support and/or property division, please consider Treviño Law in your divorce attorney search. We are located in Laguna Hills right off Lake Forest exit to both the 405 and 5 freeway.
Although the posting of this information can be considered free legal advice for a divorce in Orange County, it does not address other factors which may play a significant role in a particular dissolution. Circumstances in your divorce may alter the results in your dissolution.
Please note that this legal advice does not establish a family law attorney-client relationship. This is a legal advertisement for Treviño Law, Inc.
