It seems that many celebrity marriages end quickly. Yet Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa are seeking a divorce after 10 years of marriage. The divorce laws to which the couple is subject indicate that Kobe Bryant may have to split his assets evenly with his wife, since they did not sign a prenuptial agreement. Florida couples may be able to learn a lesson from the basketball player's situation.

Late last year, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce. The couple was apparently going through an especially difficult period, as the reported reason for their divorce is "irreconcilable differences." Since their wedding in 2001, the couple has had two children.

Estimates put Kobe Bryant's wealth somewhere near $150 million. As a result of this divorce, he could owe his wife over $70 million, in addition to potential child support payments. Kobe has also surrendered his three California mansions and has given all of them to his wife.

Fortunately, for the sake of their children, the Bryant's divorce is currently proceeding with minimal trouble.

When a couple enters divorce proceedings without any sort of prenuptial agreement, they become subject to their state's laws regarding divorce. In the case of the Bryant family, Kobe will likely be splitting all of his assets evenly, resulting in a massive sum of money being owed to his wife. In many similar situations, the prospect of owing so much money would lead to a vicious court battle over the terms of the settlement. With a prenuptial agreement, however, the terms of a settlement are determined prior to exchanging vows, sparing a couple from potential emotional turmoil in the case that something goes wrong with their marriage.

Source: People Magazine, "Kobe Bryant's Wife to Get All Three Houses, Worth $18.8 Million," Champ Clark, Jan. 21, 2012