3 Celebrity Weddings and the Legal Lessons Learned

Celebrity weddings can lead to some valuable legal lessons, even for those who aren't rich and famous. Examples from a few star-studded weddings in 2012 certainly take the cake.

Celebrities face many legal issues when getting married. The biggest challenge is that they need to plan their finances in case of divorce. In the case of a celebrity and non-celebrity, this is often to protect the celebrity's assets. In the case of two celebrities, one might make significantly more than the other.

Another challenge that celebrities face when getting married is the personal challenge of keeping their nuptials private. Paparazzi and gawkers want in, and many stars have gone through great lengths to keep their ceremonies private.

That said, here's a look at three celebrity weddings from 2012, and the legal lessons learned:

1. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel

Timberlake and Biel tied the knot in October, in a private ceremony in Italy, HuffPo reported. Biel's net worth is net estimated at $18 million, and Timberlake's at $70 million.

But the discussion over their prenup didn't focus on finances as much as it focused on personal issues. Biel demanded a fidelity clause, according to Hollywood Life. She even reportedly asked for a clause allowing her to put off having kids until she felt secure about Timberlake's fidelity!

2. Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman

The "Les Miserables" actress went through great lengths to keep her Big Sur wedding private. But is it really illegal for paparazzi to snap photos of the wedding?

California currently has an anti-paparazzi law, but it relates largely to speeding car chases.

3. Rosie O'Donnell and Michelle Rounds

O'Donnell and Rounds got hitched in June, shortly after Rounds was diagnosed with desmoid tumors, according to ABC News.

O'Donnell and Rounds wed in Nyack, New York. Under New York's Marriage Equality Act, same-sex couples are legally allowed to tie the knot in the Empire State -- one of 10 U.S. jurisdictions (nine states and the District of Columbia) that currently allow same-sex marriage.

Rounds reportedly entered into a prenup just hours before the wedding. Their prenup also had a fidelity clause, saying that Rounds gets nothing if she cheats, according to Philly.com.

Related Resources:

• The Top 5 Celebrity Divorces of 2011 (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
• Before 'Pawn Stars' Wedding, Does Rick Harrison Need a Prenup? (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
• State Specific Prenuptial Forms (FindLaw)
• Marriage and the Law: Background (FindLaw)