Ruben Studdard's cold blooded prenupt

Ruben Studdard's divorce from Surata Zuri McCants
is all the buzz these days.
Photo from straightfromthea.com

I am an advocate of prenuptial agreements.  These documents can be tailored to fit any situation, and do not merely cover divorce.  People hear "prenupt" and automatically see the marriage ending before it begins.

Is wearing black to a wedding bad luck? (The Studdards
in happier times, on their wedding day.)
Photo from Essence.com

Ruben Studdard was a rising star of American Idol lineage, when he met his now ex-wife Zuri McCants. (They met in 2006, while he signed autographs at Wal-mart) Not much is known about McCants, but some have claimed she was once a stripper, others describe her as a "get 'em girl" (def. "get 'em girl"-- a chick willing to do anything to get a man and his money).

Zuri is a personal trainer in Atlanta.

From what I gathered through intel, she's a mother, a business woman, and an "industry chick" (def. "industry chick"-- a person of the female gender who is part of any given industry from professional sports to music and entertainment, either directly or indirectly. Could be a party promoter, club hostess, video "model", groupie, business person, etc.) with a reputation for loving money.

"You're right, that's what she gets. She has always chased a $... I've known Zuri since elementary school,"-- Facebook poster in response to a prior comment.

It seems like everyone in Atlanta is an industry chick, so no biggie there.  It is funny how quickly people throw out the "gold digger" label when a "regular" person marries someone of "status".  I don't know the lady, for all I know she could be none of the things people allege, or all of them.

Anyway, before they married, Ruben hit Zuri with a prenuptial agreement.  Now in this case, I might say he was nervous about marrying her and used the prenupt as a safeguard.  (So why marry her?)

I'm inclined to say this because the prenuptial agreement seems cold! She was given ZERO spousal support or alimony, a ten thousand dollar property settlement, a used BMW, and couldn't even keep her rings.

YEP! She had to give back the engagement ring.  I have never heard of that before, so dang!

Typically an engagement ring is a gift given in contemplation of marriage, and is not part of marital property, therefore it should not necessarily be considered transferable under a prenuptial agreement.  But, as I stated earlier, you decide what goes into your prenuptial agreement. Before you sign one, you'd better read it and go through it with a fine toothed comb.

As an attorney, I advocate prenuptial agreements for every couple.  However, I advocate fair and logical prenuptial agreements.  When you marry someone, it should be done with a sober and contemplative mind, not with fear or ill will. The way the Studdards' divorce is talked about in the media is sickening to me.

Here are some of the headlines:

RUBEN STUDDARD

Divorces Like a CHAMPWith Ironclad Prenup

Ruben Studdard - Ruben Studdard A Big Winner In Divorce

Ruben Studdard Gets Lucky In Divorce Settlement

From what I gather, the two dated for almost two years before they married.  If she were all these negative things that people say, then he could have easily walked away before signing his name on the dotted line and saying "I do". As much as I advocate prenuptial agreements, I hate divorce.

Also, what people do not understand is, prenuptial agreements also cover debts.  According to TMZ, Ruben had a number of tax liens against him, at least one in Alabama.  For all we know, Ruben had to eat all of that debt alone.  So is anyone really "winning" in this situation? No one ever really wins in divorce.

I have no idea what went on in their three year long marriage.  She could have been a dutiful wife or a gold digging trophy.  People grow up and change.  Get 'em girls can become godly women... it is not impossible.

What does she have to say about all this pub and "that's what she gets" buzzing around?

From Zuri's Facebook:

The Media is so hilarious and such a joke. Ricky Smiley and Tom Joyner and crew need to get their facts straight before they start flapping their gums about something they know nothing about. Its so hard being a Christian sometimes...wooosaaaah!!!!!!!