BRITNEY SPEARS DIVORCE OFFICIAL

Spears, Federline Divorce Is Final
By AMANDA BECK, Associated Press Writer
7:54 AM PDT, July 31, 2007

LOS ANGELES -- Britney Spears' marriage to Kevin Federline officially ended Monday. "They are divorced," the pop star's attorney, Laura Wasser, said after a Superior Court hearing. "Everything is finalized."

Court Commissioner Scott Gordon signed orders for dissolution of marriage, an alimony agreement and child custody.

The alimony agreement will not be made public unless there is an enforcement issue, Wasser said.

"Most of that tracks the prenup," the attorney said, without elaborating.

The child custody order was tentatively sealed, pending an Aug. 14 hearing.

"The best interests of the children could be harmed" if the arrangement were not sealed, Gordon said.

Spears married Federline in October 2004, eight months after her first marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander was annulled. She cited irreconcilable differences when she filed for divorce from Federline on Nov. 7, 2006.

Wasser said that Spears was "OK" with the terms of the settlement but that "she would like to be with her kids more."

Since February, Spears, 25, and Federline, 29, have shared joint custody of their two sons, 22-month-old Sean Preston and 10-month-old Jayden James.

CELEBRITIES LINE UP FOR HOLLYWOOD'S WONDERLAND

Is Celebrity Rehab Effective?

With So Many Going To Get Sober, It Now Just Seems Like A Trend

Lindsay Lohan, show here parting at the nightclub Warehouse on April 12, 2007, in Tokyo, is one of many celebrities who have checked into rehab.

Not so long ago, alcohol and drug addiction in Hollywood were considered taboo, something shameful. But now hardly a week goes by without a celebrity announcing they've checked into rehab.

Young Hollywood just loves to party but the seduction of alcohol and drugs has led many to rehab facilities like Wonderland, co-founded by Howard Samuels. It was reportedly where Lindsay Lohan went to get sober the first time.

"I have kids lining up at the door that are 19, 20, 21, that are on cocaine on a daily basis. They're doing ecstasy. They're smoking pot 24 hours a day," Samuels said.

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THE ALLURE OF DRUGS - ALLISON MARGOLIN'S SUNDAY DAILY NEWS ARTICLE

This courtroom story/opinion piece was published in Sunday's Daily News - 6/24/07

Media, laws glamorize drug use
BY ALLISON MARGOLIN, Guest Columnist

I’m sitting in Glendale court, waiting for the judge to call out my client’s name, relatively bored. To pass the time, I am reading the June issue of Allure magazine. As I flip through the mag, I pass an article purporting to be an expose on drug use among celebrities. At first I don’t read it. As much as drug use is a part of my practice, and though it has been a source of interest for me as long as I can remember, sometimes it gets too much.

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US MAGAZINE WANTS ME -FOR A QUOTE

Just about every week I get with my pal Jana Rausch who has an upcoming blog, and we scour the tabloids for interesting celebrity tidbits. It's a favorite pastime of ours and a well needed break from reality.
So I was delighted when US Magazine called today and asked if I would provide legal commentary for an upcoming issue about drug use in Hollywood. As soon as I know the issue I'll pass it on!