Succesful movie producer is not a business to be divided at divorce

Donna Dubrow and John McTiernan were married in November 1988. John’s career as a movie director had been decent before then, but it was during the marriage that John became “very successful,” earning “six- to high seven-figure compensation per film” directing such “blockbusters” as Die Hard  and The Hunt for Red October. Donna also worked in the business, earning $195,000 a year as a production company executive; she lived in her own home in Brentwood. After marriage, Donna occasionally acted as an independent producer, mostly with John’s participation, but sometimes without it.  But thens went sour.  The couple divorced, and Donna wanted her portion of John's business goodwill,i.e., she wanted some money for the increase in his earning potential that occured during the marriage.  In a significant decision the Court of Appeal denied Donna's request, holding that only a business can have goodwill, and an individual.  Thanks to CFLR.com for this article.  Click here for more.