Together for Years
Thicke and Patton met and began dating as teenagers and were married in 2005. The couple have a son together – Julian Fuego who turns 4 in April.
“We will always love each other and be best friends, however, we have mutually decided to separate at this time,” the couple said in a joint statement.
Last year they dismissed rumors that their marriage was on the rocks. “I don’t know if I would still be alive in some ways if it wasn’t for Paula,” Thicke said in September. “She’s been my rock, my muse, my inspiration and I love her. The whole way.”
He is currently on a national concert tour. She was most recently seen in the recently released film “About Last Night.”They recently appeared together on the Grammys red carpet.
Legal Separation at this Time
Representatives for the couple gave no additional details, such as if a divorce filing is in the process. At this time they have only filed for legal separation.
What is Legal Separation?
A Legal Separation is defined as a legal action filed by a married person or domestic partner who wants to stay married or in the domestic partnership, but also seeks resolution of other issues, such as child custody, child and spousal support and property division. No residency requirements exist for obtaining a Legal Separation.
Sometimes a person files a legal separation because he or she does not meet the residency requirement that is needed to file for a divorce. After the residency requirements are eventually met, the action is changed from a legal separation to a divorce. Often time people stay in a marriage or domestic partnership for other reasons such as religious reasons or the ability to retain medical insurance benefits for a spouse or partner.