Why it matters: The high-profile divorce between actors Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan has taken a contentious turn, with both parties accusing each other of employing tactics to delay proceedings and gain financial advantages.

The big picture: This divorce case highlights the complexities of separating shared business interests in celebrity marriages, particularly when it comes to ongoing franchises like "Magic Mike."

Key details:

  • Jenna Dewan has asked the court to sanction Channing Tatum for his behavior in their divorce proceedings.
  • Dewan is seeking to disqualify Tatum's lawyers due to an alleged conflict of interest.
  • Tatum accuses Dewan of using delay tactics to prolong the divorce case.
  • The main point of contention is the division of profits from the "Magic Mike" franchise.

Dewan's claims:

  • She argues that Tatum's newly brought-on law firm worked on business matters for them during their marriage, creating a conflict of interest.
  • Dewan accuses Tatum of refusing to turn over certain documents relevant to the divorce, claiming attorney-client privilege.
  • She alleges that Tatum and his business partners created a web of LLCs to hide "Magic Mike" income from her.
  • Dewan is seeking $20,000 in sanctions against Tatum for his conduct.

Tatum's response:

  • He denies that the law firm in question ever worked with Dewan directly.
  • Tatum claims he has made "exhaustive efforts" to settle all issues without litigation, including attending multiple mediations.
  • He argues that Dewan's motion to dismiss his legal team is a delay tactic to prolong the divorce case.

Financial implications:

  • The biggest issue at hand is how they will split the profits from the "Magic Mike" empire.
  • Dewan believes she is entitled to 50 percent of Tatum's cut in the various "Magic Mike" businesses.
  • Tatum's team argues that he has been trying to resolve issues directly and has prepared numerous drafts of a proposed judgment.

Legal maneuvers:

  • Dewan's lawyer, Samantha Spector, accuses Tatum of using "every trick in the book" to stall the case from going to trial.
  • Tatum's attorneys claim he has made "countless settlement proposals" in an attempt to resolve the matter.

Background:

  • The couple split in 2018 after nine years of marriage.
  • They share an 11-year-old daughter, Everly.
  • While they quickly worked out a custody deal, they have been unable to finalize a settlement over their property.

What's next:

  • A judge has yet to rule on Dewan's request for sanctions and the disqualification of Tatum's lawyers.
  • The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how intellectual property and ongoing business ventures are handled in celebrity divorces.

The bottom line: This high-stakes divorce battle underscores the complexities of dividing assets in high-profile marriages, especially when ongoing business ventures are involved. The case highlights the potential for protracted legal battles when significant financial interests are at stake.