The term “Disney Divorce” is often used to describe a post-divorce family situation in which one parent, usually Dad, isn’t involved in day-to-day parenting but shows up on infrequent occasion to do something spectacular with the kids, like visit Disneyland.  This is not that story.  This is the story of a real Disney divorce, the collaborative divorce of Roy Disney and his wife Patty.
Last year, the Disneys filed papers with the Los Angeles County Superior Court in which they agreed to “to devote their efforts to attempt to reach a negotiated settlement in an efficient, cooperative manner.”  Each was represented by a collaborative attorney and pledged to comply with the principles of collaborative law.  The case proves a number of important points about collaborative divorce:

•    Collaborative divorce is not just for couples without a lot of money.   Roy Disney is director emeritus of the Disney Company and holds 16 million shares.  Forbes has estimated his fortune at $1.2 billion.

•    Collaborative divorce is not just for couples with minor children.  The Disneys have four children, all adults.

•    Collaborative divorce is not just for young couples who have had short marriages.  The Disneys were married for 52 years.  Roy is 77, Patty is 72.  They were married shortly after the opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

The Disney Company has many devoted followers who were surprised by the news.  According to Clifford A. Miller, managing director of the Disney family investment company, "This has been in the works for a long time. They've just decided to move forward with their lives."  Notably, they decided to do so in a way that respects their many years together, preserves their family relationships, and protects their privacy.  

The judge devotes two entire chapters to legal issues regarding the children of divorce.  But in the first chapter of the book he focuses on the emotional damage children can suffer when their parents engage in a vicious divorce struggle.  “A contested divorce trial ultimately ends up causing terrible damage to any children caught in the crossfire,” he observes.