Tennessee reality television fans may be familiar with the name Bethenny Frankel. In recent years, the 43-year-old chef, entrepreneur and television reality star has enjoyed much professional success. Frankel's personal life, however, appears to be in shambles as she's currently involved in a very bitter and public child custody battle with her soon-to-be ex-husband Jason Hoppy.
Viewers who tuned in to the Bravo Television series, "Bethenny Ever After", likely remember Hoppy whose whirlwind romance and marriage to Frankel were well-documented. In fact Frankel and Hoppy even allowed America to tune in as they welcomed their first, and only, daughter Bryn into the world and embarked on the adventures of being first-time parents.
Since the show ended, so too has the romance between the two. Sadly, it seems as though the couple's ensuing divorce and child custody battles are also playing out like scenes from a dramatic television series. At a recent child custody hearing, Frankel described how she informed Hoppy of her plans to file for divorce via a letter. In response, Frankel described that Hoppy allegedly embarked on a mission to "destroy" her.
When most married or co-habitating couples decide to call it quits, one or both individuals typically move out of a shared residence. In this case, however, neither Frankel nor Hoppy would move out of their Manhattan apartment. During her testimony, Frankel described that, in the wake of her decision to file for divorce, her life became “brutal, horrendous, excruciating."
In the midst of the alleged cruel comments and actions waged against one another, Frankel and Hoppy both attempted to spend quality time with and raise their daughter. The child custody hearing is scheduled to resume mid-June.
While the circumstances surrounding the Frankel and Hoppy split and child custody case are unique in that the couple's entire relationship was chronicled on live television, divorcing Tennessee parents face similar challenges.
Matters related to child custody are often highly emotional and can quickly become contentious. To avoid the pain and expense of an ugly and lengthy child custody battle, mothers and fathers who plan to divorce or are seeking to modify the terms of an existing child custody agreement would be wise to seek the advice and counsel of an attorney.
Source: The New York Daily News, "‘I’m going to destroy you’: Bethenny Frankel recounts estranged husband's words after she said she was ending their marriage," Dareh Gregorian, May 29, 2014