<p>Their marriage is never going to be authentic IMHO.</p>
<p>
I agree. With the amount of infidelity that went on in just the first five years, it’s possible that the marriage never was “authentic,” at least for Tiger. He may have never given up his single man ways even as he got married to Elin.</p>
<p>If She decides to stay with him, whenever there is footage of them together or photos in any of the mags, I will always see the dollar sign between them. How humiliating…For her and him.</p>
<p>There may be another factor here besides the money. In most states these days, fathers are routinely awarded joint physical custody of their children. Elin may not be able to bear the thought of being away from her small children 50% of the time, and may believe that they would not be properly cared for if they were with Tiger for that 50%. She may know things we don’t about his temper or ability to effectively care for them… And he has deep pockets to fight for that joint custody if he wants to. So she may believe that staying with him is safer and better for them than splitting up. And… why not take the money and improve the pre-nup in her favor, given his horrible behavior? Then if he doesn’t clean up his act, she has sufficient money to fight this if necessary.</p>
<p>It is about the money. She has ample proof of his infedelities and plenty of money to care for them if she should get a good custody arrangement. I think any judge, mediator, etc would judge things in her favor, but she is looking like an opportunist in my opinion at this juncture. I don’t care if anyone flames me.</p>
<p>DISCLAIMER: this is not legal advice and is not to be relied on.</p>
<p>Elin may have a real problem concerning the kids, if there is a divorce. </p>
<p><a href=“c”>quote</a> The court shall determine all matters relating to parenting and time-sharing of each minor child of the parties in accordance with the best interests of the child and in accordance with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, except that modification of a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule requires a showing of a substantial, material, and unanticipated change of circumstances.</p>
<pre><code> 1. It is the public policy of this state that each minor child has frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents separate or the marriage of the parties is dissolved and to encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities, and joys, of childrearing. There is no presumption for or against the father or mother of the child or for or against any specific time-sharing schedule when creating or modifying the parenting plan of the child.
-
The court shall order that the parental responsibility for a minor child be shared by both parents unless the court finds that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child. **Evidence that a parent has been convicted of a misdemeanor of the first degree or higher involving domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28 and chapter 775, or meets the criteria of s. 39.806(1)(d), creates a rebuttable presumption of detriment to the child. If the presumption is not rebutted after the convicted parent is advised by the court that the presumption exists, shared parental responsibility, including time-sharing with the child, and decisions made regarding the child, may not be granted to the convicted parent. **However, the convicted parent is not relieved of any obligation to provide financial support. If the court determines that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child, it may order sole parental responsibility and make such arrangements for time-sharing as specified in the parenting plan as will best protect the child or abused spouse from further harm. Whether or not there is a conviction of any offense of domestic violence or child abuse or the existence of an injunction for protection against domestic violence, the court shall consider evidence of domestic violence or child abuse as evidence of detriment to the child.
a. In ordering shared parental responsibility, the court may consider the expressed desires of the parents and may grant to one party the ultimate responsibility over specific aspects of the child’s welfare or may divide those responsibilities between the parties based on the best interests of the child. Areas of responsibility may include education, health care, and any other responsibilities that the court finds unique to a particular family.
b. The court shall order sole parental responsibility for a minor child to one parent, with or without time-sharing with the other parent if it is in the best interests of the minor child.
[/quote]
</code></pre>
<p>Seems a conviction for a first degree misdemeanor or higher for domestic violence creates a rebuttable presumption that could exclude Elin from parenting the children. If Tiger wants (or wanted) to make trouble on this issue, he probably could, if there is a divorce. </p>
<p>Hitting a spouse in the mouth with a golf club to the point of unconsciousness or threathening them by wailing at the car they are in to the point that there is an accident that causes the driver to have to go to the hospital probably isn’t going to “pass muster” even if the argument is that the injured spouse is a scum bag. If infidelity “excused” beating a spouse with a golf club, apparently over half of current marriages could be tee-ing up.</p>
<p>Elin may be making the “best” of a very dicey situation.</p>
<p>Golf Digest received today. Headline: Ten Tips Obama can Take From Tiger.<br>
Oops. Talk about bad timing.</p>
<p>Perhaps Tiger thought this part through, and that is why he kept it a “private matter”.</p>
<p>She could have been chasing him and he “tripped”, possibly injuring his face. She may not have hit him with the club. She could have threatened him with it. </p>
<p>She most definitely broke out that car window, but until we have the facts, we don’t have the facts. Just speculation.</p>
<p>Ooops indeed. But I bet the magazine will sell like hotcakes :)</p>
<p>littlegreenmom–</p>
<p>If all of us and Elin, Tiger and their kids are lucky, we will never know all the facts and they can get on with trying to live their lives with what they know happened.</p>
<p>FWIW–the Florida law about domestic violence and parenting rights is very similar in many ways to that of Texas where I live. I mentioned to my S on several occasions that violence was not acceptible in a relationship, period–and mentioned as one down side that the violent person could lose the right to be part of raising their child.</p>
<p>I hope all parents, including those of girls, have made the same bit of information known to their child.</p>
<p>“What fries my cookies…”</p>
<p>Thanks, ellebud, this made me giggle on an otherwise dreary afternoon.</p>
<p>07Dad,</p>
<p>I agree. I hope it stays private. This family needs to heal in whatever way they can. </p>
<p>Good point about the domestic abuser/loss of children. If more people knew this fact, it would be beneficial.</p>
<p>I doubt that she hit him. It seems much more likely that he crashed the car in frustration. I once watched a poor student smash a motorcycle helmet to pieces (believe it or not) because he’d lost (actually misplaced) his checkbook.</p>
<p>Intersesting twist about the possible threat Tiger might be holding over Elin’s head of she did take a very justifiable (albeit illegal in FL) swing at Tiger, 07DAD. Most mothers are pretty protective of their kids, and will do whatever it takes to protect them, so if it means sticking around for a while in order to secure custody (sole or joint) if necessary in future litigation, is understandible. I am in agreement with those who said Elin may 1) want to hurt Tiger in the wallet the way he has hurt her in the heart, 2) plan to protect herself/her kids personally and financially and 3) grieve the loss of trust and destruction of her marriage as she knew it or hoped it would be. I expect she is listening to the advice of her parents and lawyers. I just don’t buy that she knowingly and willingly went into a marriage anticipating the likelihood that he would be a philanderer. To me, and flame away if necessary, that kind of thinking reflects more on the thinking or personal experience/marriage of the person saying this. At least b&p was up front with her family history and the reason for her opinion, based on her experience as a child. I applaud b&p for her openness and honesty and willingness to share the basis of her opinion. </p>
<p>I suspect that Tiger’s “handlers” are working out all these $$$ details with Elin’s lawyers. Doubt for a minute that Tiger is directly involved in working out the financial details of “saving” his marriage. He is focused on himself, his golf game and his endorsements-- the source of his income and most likely the foundation of his personal identity. He is used to having someone take care of all the “details” for him, while he is directed by his handlers to stay focused on his game. Lets just hope that the game he is focused on is golf.</p>
<p>His endorsers who may be standing by him may be underestimating the tarnish he has put on their brand. Nobody is perfect but the handling of this is bad.</p>
<p>^^^ They may be waiting to see what shoe drops next, sevmom. They can always pull the plug tomorrow. Might be costly to try to pull all the endorsed junk off the holiday shopping shelves at this point. IIRC, it was costly to pull all the Michael Vick stuff.</p>
<p>Tiger Woods signature stuff might be an amusing holiday gift. Wonder what is being sold on ebay about now. Too bad this didn’t happen before Thanksgiving. Lotta halloween costumes would have looked like that “Tiger Woods Holiday Card” that is circulating the internet.</p>
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<p>Agreed! I suppose famous people’s plan is to deny, deny, deny and expect that no one would believe the other person . If there is no tangible proof (photos, phone messages, emails, etc.), I think people will believe them. After all, how many disbelieved Monica Lewinsky until she produced the dress? Bill Clinton was very careful to leave no “evidence” except for that once.</p>
<p>I don’t think Elin’s actions re post-nup, or whatever it is, are entirely based on greed, if at all. It’s about pure, unadulterated rage and making him pay in any way possible. It’s about revenge, and it nicely coincides with looking out for her children.</p>
<p>^^^ well said, mousegray</p>
<p><<tiger is=“” a=“” flipping=“” fool=“” if=“” he=“” thinks=“” they=“” laid=“” down=“” in=“” bed=“” with=“” him=“” because=“” of=“” his=“” shining=“” personality=“” and=“” not=“” worth=“” billions.=“” those=“” women=“” would=“” have=“” given=“” second=“” look=“” was=“” the=“” bartender=“” at=“” club.=“”>></tiger></p>
<p>I completely agree. I’ve heard people say he is handsome and sophisticated. Blechh I figure my tastes must be different. He would just be the average Joe with out the millions to enhance his attractiveness.</p>