Throughout entertainment media, the Academy Awards, or the Oscars, are being hyped. Every year, elite actors and actresses are commended for brilliant film performances over the course of the last year. An interesting pattern for those who win best actress has been noted: within a short time of winning the Oscar, their marriages crumble. A recent study has explored why these female celebrities find themselves getting a divorce shortly after they are commended for their work. This pattern might also hold true for successful professionals in Illinois.

Over the last decade or so, best actress winners have filed for divorce within a short period of receiving their awards, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank, Kate Winslet and Sandra Bullock. Furthermore, a study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University suggests this pattern may stretch much further back than the last decade.

One interesting finding to emerge from the study is that those who won best actor did not see a similar change in their relationships. Some suggest that this may be due to unfortunate, age-old gender norms for men and women. Based on this theory, when women earn more or become more successful than their husbands, their marriage can become stressed.

However, women can take measures to guard themselves against a stressful divorce in the wake of a successful career move. By creating a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, spouses can arrange the terms of their divorce in the event that things fall apart. The best thing any savvy businessperson can do is be prepared for anything that might happen over the course of a relationship.

Spouses that find success in their professional lives should not have to worry about potential headaches from divorce proceedings. With professional guidance, individuals can take steps to ensure that a divorce goes smoothly and a more equitable settlement is reached.

Source: Forbes, "Why Do Successful Women Fall Victim to the Oscar Love Curse?" Jeff Landers, Feb. 1, 2012