What happens when there are billions of dollars on the line in a divorce? Unfortunately, it can get ugly really fast. This is exactly what is happening in the divorce between Kenneth C. Griffin and Anne Dias. In the most recent move, Griffin is asking the court to set a trial date.

The couple has three young children and the Chicago hedge-fund billionaire has claimed that Dias is seeking $1 million a month to pay for child-related expenses. It is difficult to understand how three children under the age of 10 years each require so much money, but then again, they live a different type of lifestyle than most. Griffin claims that the $1 million a month sum includes the payment of monthly needs such as $300,000 for travel by private jet, $160,000 for vacation rentals and $60,00 for office space and professional staff.

Although Dias has previously revealed in prior filings that their children have grown accustomed to enjoying the lifestyle of the very wealthy, including visiting their homes in Aspen, Chicago, Hawaii, Miami Beach and New York by private jet whenever they want, she claims Griffin’s attack on her is an attempt to avoid his responsibility under the law. Dias reportedly stated:

“This filing is riddled with falsehoods and just another vindictive attempt by Ken Griffin — Illinois’ richest billionaire — to punish his family and avoid his clear responsibility under Illinois law to maintain his children’s lifestyle. He claims to be acting in the best interests of their children, but it is the children who are being penalized by his insistence on withholding the support to which they are accustomed and entitled under Illinois law.”

Source close to Dias claim that the numbers used to calculate the $1 million a month figure was an accounting of the couple’s child-related expenses while they were married, not a demand by Dias. They also claim that Dias is not seeking spousal support, but wants her children to continue their same lifestyle post-divorce.

We will continue to monitor the Griffin divorce and the potential child support battle that seems to be brewing. If you are facing divorce or you have other family law needs, our legal team is here to help. Contact the Men’s Divorce Law Firm to schedule a consultation with a caring professional, and aggressive advocate for men’s rights in divorce, child timesharing (custody), and paternity matters.