The divorce, filed in Harris County, Texas, has some interesting legal and financial implications, given that the family possesses a fortune estimated at over $100 million dollars. When that much money is involved, the break-ups are always interesting.
Here are some things to consider when analyzing the divorce of Tina and Matthew Knowles:
1) Texas is a community property state: That means that if the couple can't figure out how to split the money up, then all property is going to be split right down the middle. So, the chances of either party walking away with the bulk of the fortune are slim to none.
2) Adultery does play a role: If it is indeed true that Matthew was a rolling stone (which the media has asserted he is), that could lead to the divorce coming out in favor of Tina. In fact, in some states, your spouse can now sue both you and your ex-lover for committing adultery. So, if you're going to play, you can either expect to pay or you probably should just never get married. While some might attack men like P. Diddy for choosing to never get married, his arrangements might actually be better than getting married and then getting vilified for wanting to be with other women.
3) This divorce could be easier than some other celebrity breakups: This is not the kind of divorce where one spouse brings home the bacon and the other one cooks it. Both Tina and Matthew were bringing home the piggies, so their divorce could be cleaner due to the fact that they are both high income earners. Tina is deeply involved in the fashion industry, as well as other endeavors. Matthew has made a reputation for himself as a genius in the music industry (which he is). The fact that both of them have their own capital and ability to make a living should make the break easier than most.
I expect that Tina and Matthew Knowles will handle the divorce in the professional way that they've handled everything else. The greatest costs for everyone involved will be emotional.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the book, "Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (30)
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By: Ellie on 12/18/2009 2:21PM
That's why they have lawyers, so we don't have to spend our time prying into their lives and trying to figure things out.
Let's worry about our own business and bring back the ideas of privacy and dignity in relationships.
The Knowles family does not need our input.
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By: hrtofmttr on 12/18/2009 2:24PM
Wow. I didn't get past the first paragraph. The guy who wrote this article is a finance professor, and yet he had the gall to throw in an unsubstantiated claim that "good parents consider the children before thinking about their own selfish needs." A good parent is one who considers their own well being and mental health which in turn shows and teaches their children to respect and honor themselves and others. Leaving a bad and broken down marriage is not selfish, it's survival, and eleviates the stress and anguish the child might suffer while the parents constantly fight. Perhaps Mr. Watkins can get his degree in psychology, and that will truely earn him the moniker of 'Dr.'. While he's at it, he should do a little more research into the effect of staying in a bad marriage has on children. A very recent study showed it was better to divorce. Gee, what a concept.
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By: Natalie N. on 12/18/2009 3:02PM
I agree completely, I about dropped my jaw after reading "good parents"...
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By: kicol on 12/18/2009 3:24PM
I agree with you 100% it is always best to think about the kids in the situation. Kids don't want to hear their parents argue all the time. You have some kids who would rather live with a relative, or a friend, instead of living at home. Yes it would be a change for them, but think about the peace that the children would have. Kids aren't stupid they know what's going on, they can tell when their parents are no longer in love with one another. So a good parent will let go of a bad marriage, especially if it is hurting their children, because the main focus is the children, and what is best for them. If you know that you are in a marriage, and all you, and your spouse do is argue, and fight all the time, and you have kids living at home. The best thing to do is think about those children, because it is hurting them.
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By: FashionedByGod33 on 12/18/2009 3:54PM
I agree. I find Dr. Watkins to be a nuisance anyway and tend to bypass most of his articles.
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By: JP on 12/18/2009 11:31PM
They may not have had a visibly bad relationship. Perhaps they held it together for the children. We don't know if the children suffered any psycholigical damage. Also, the children are full grown. It is not the same. I believe they may have hidden their problems without causing damage to the family. They are actually pretty mature in age for it to work.
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By: NAD1134 on 12/18/2009 7:14PM
Thank you so much for posting your comment. I too was unable to get past the first paragraph. I scrolled up and down the article twice because I was sure it had to be written by someone credible or experienced in marriage and family, not finance.
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By: Eve on 12/18/2009 10:43PM
You are so right. The damage to the kids is many and they might not even know the damage themselves until later in life. Those girls as far as I'm concerned, are damaged by the language. Both Beyounce and Solange has a septic tank mouth and those movies may be scripted but, that language was learned. Solange's U Tube rants were who she is, not acting. I have no doubt in my mind that their parents has septic tank mouths too.
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By: Shannon on 12/19/2009 4:40PM
I agree wholeheartedly. As a member of many blog communities, I come across a lot of blogs belonging to teenagers who talk about their parents fighting and know that their parents stay together for them. Unfortunately, these same teenagers are often very depressed, sad and feeling neglected because all of their parents energy goes into fighting/arguing. I have even come across "cutters" who cut themselves to rid themselves of the pain of having to be in the middle of what their parents are going through.
I just about felt very disgusted at Watkins claim that "good parents" stay together for the children. It's an idiotic thing to say and as a Dr. I think he should know better.
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By: Phil on 12/18/2009 3:07PM
One of a kind, put them all in barrell, shake it up and they all come out just alike!
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