Although residents in New York and elsewhere learned of pop singer Katy Perry and comedian Russell Brand's divorce in early 2012, the separation is now official, following the couple agreeing to a divorce settlement. While Perry and Brand have largely declined to comment on the split, a source who claims to be close to the couple told reporters that the divorce is amicable.

The couple jointly owns four homes, including one in New York, estimated to be worth a combined $15 million. While word has not yet surfaced on how the properties will be divided, the recently filed documents explain that the couple has reached agreement on all issues, including property division.

The couple never signed a prenuptial agreement prior to their marriage, meaning that Brand may have been legally entitled to some of his wife's earnings because the couple was married in a community property state. Unlike New York, such states consider any most assets acquired during a marriage to be subject to equal division upon divorce. However, Brand reportedly turned down a share in Perry's $44 million fortune. Perry will legally revert to her maiden name, but reportedly had no other requests.

Perry and Brand further confirmed that they have settled their divorce outside of court by indicating in their legal documents that the separation is uncontested, which effectively waives the couple's right to a trial.

Sometimes divorcing couples find it advantageous to keep a divorce out of a court room because they do not want any dirty laundry being aired in public or they want to keep costs down. There are options such as mediation or a no-fault divorce which allow couples to amicably reach an agreement and avoid litigation.

Source: New York Daily News, "Katy Perry, Russell Brand reach amicable divorce settlement: Comedian walks away from $20M payout," Joyce Chen, Feb. 9, 2012