Kim Kardashian Divorce Turns Ugly Reality TV On Trial

The Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries divorce has become a bitter fight, and we’ve learned Kris’ lawyer intends to put reality TV on trial … but that could blow up in his face.

Sources tell us … Kris and his lawyer, Lee Hutton, want to “expose the M.O. of reality TV” by proving Kim had no intention of staying married to him, but just wanted big ratings for her reality show.

Now here’s the irony. The duo wants to prove their point by asking the judge to allow TMZ and TV stations to broadcast the trial — something that the judge might find a tad hypocritical … not that we’re complaining.

TMZ broke the story … Kim filed for divorce on grounds of “irreconcilable differences.” Kris has countered that he wants the marriage annulled based on fraud.

Kris has a couple of problems with the fraud claim. First of all, he’s the one who proposed. Second, the publicity has made him famous and marketable and he’ll make millions more than he would have otherwise.

And another big point in Kim’s favor … We’ve learned the prenup is extremely long and complicated … accounting for what would happen years into the future. Why would she go through the time and trouble of having a long prenup if she planned on pulling the plug on the marriage within a few months?

Don Cornelius Ex-Wife Scores Huge Life Insurance Payout

Don Cornelius died with 2 life insurance policies worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the ex-wife he hated will get all the money …

Don’s breakup with Viktoria Chapman Cornelius was brutal.  He was convicted of domestic abuse and, according to him, she pepper sprayed him multiple times.

During the divorce in 2009, Don said in legal docs obtained by  rep of  the famous website – TMZ, ‘I am 72 years old.  I have significant health issues.  I want to finalize this divorce before I die.”

The divorce was indeed finalized later that year, but there’s a provision in the settlement agreement that says Don must make Viktoria the beneficiary of both of his life insurance policies — totaling around $300,000 in benefits.

Under California law, if a policyholder commits suicide within 2 years of the time the policy is issued, the company can deny payment.   But Don had the policy for more than 2 years, so Viktoria — the woman he despised — will get the loot.

Soul Train – Don Cornelius Commits Suicide Earlier on Today

Don Cornelius — who famously created “Soul Train” was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning … and law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide.

We’re told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us … Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

We’re told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“Soul Train” changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006.

Officials have notified Don’s family.

Cornelius was 75.

During Don’s bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from “significant health issues” and wanted to “finalize this divorce before I die.”

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation. His probation just terminated.

The divorce was granted in 2010.

Sources close to Don tell us … the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years … including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery.

– Shawn Holley — Don’s lawyer and good friend — tells news, “This is devastating news. Don was a kind, funny and brilliant man. Even though his many health battles had left him frail, he remained vibrant, courtly and always sharp as a tack.”

Seal – Off to Germany still wearing his wedding ring!!

Seal‘s finally left Heidi Klum — he flew out of the country last night … and did it with a you-know-what eatin’ grin on his face.

The singer wasn’t looking like a guy whose wife is divorcing him as he boarded a flight to her native country of Germany — smiling for the cameras waiting outside LAX.

By the way, Seal was still wearing his wedding ring.

Right before heading to the airport … Seal fueled ridiculous speculation his split from Heidi is a PR stunt to pump up record sales by performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

He sang … “I’ll Be Around.”

Seal’s Temper Leading Cause Of The Breakup?

Heidi Klum is divorcing Seal largely because she has had it with his volcanic temper …

Sources directly connected with the couple tell us … Heidi’s decision to divorce Seal has nothing to do with a third person. There is NO issue of infidelity.

But Seal’s inability to control his anger has become too much for Heidi to take, in no small part because it’s affecting their children.

TMZ broke the story that Heidi will divorce Seal, and we’ve learned this was not a snap decision. As one source said, “It was a long time in coming.”

We’re also told … their careers also played a part in Heidi’s decision. She has become a mega-entrepreneur and extremely rich, and that professional evolution has created a distance between them.

For his part, Seal has a new album coming out and he’s about to launch an international tour.

We’re told Heidi and Seal are still living under the same roof, but that will change very soon.

Heidi’s rep told PEOPLE that the couple was separating, but as TMZ first reported, Heidi wants a divorce. The couple says, “We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart.”

Heidi Klum To File for Divorce From Seal

Heidi Klum will file for divorce from Seal … TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Heidi will file divorce papers in L.A. County Superior Court as early as next week. We’re told Heidi will cite “irreconcilable differences” as the cause for the divorce.

The couple married May 10, 2005. They have 3 biological kids. Seal adopted Heidi’s eldest girl from a prior relationship.

The couple is famous for renewing their vows every year on their anniversary … in a lavish ceremony.

As for splitting up the goodies, there’s a lot on the line. According to Forbes, in the last year alone, Klum raked in $20 million. It’s unclear how much Seal made.

Heidi attended last Sunday’s Golden Globes without Seal. The last photo she tweeted with him was back on December 26.

Kobe Bryant Wife Scores BIG In Divorce

Kobe Bryant‘s wife Vanessa is the big winner in their divorce property settlement … TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the couple and with direct knowledge of the situation tell TMZ … the property settlement agreement is signed, sealed and delivered — a done deal.

Vanessa is walking away with $75 million, which we’re told represents close to half of their total assets, estimated at around $150 million.

TMZ previously reported several transfers of property earlier this year between Kobe and Vanessa.  It turns out, based on the property settlement, Vanessa scored a clean sweep, snagging ALL THREE of the former couple’s mansions in the Newport Beach area.

Vanessa gets the estate the couple was living in, the estate her mom is living in, and she gets the new estate that had been under construction for 2 years and was just completed.  We were told Kobe was moving into the new estate, but that’s not true.  It’s Vanessa’s crib, lock stock and barrel.

Kobe’s New Bachelor Pad Ready For Action

Kobe Bryant is no longer out in the cold, because his new mansion is ready for occupancy.

TMZ just got these photos of the digs, which has been under construction for 2 years.  He bought the Newport Coast property — located in the O.C. — back in 2008 for $9.45 million and then built the new place from scratch.

TMZ broke the story … Kobe’s soon-to-be ex-wife Vanessa transferred her interest in the mansion to Kobe on January 5.  In return … Kobe deeded his interest in the home they had shared — which is very close to Kobe’s new home — to Vanessa.  Kobe also transferred his interest in another property to Vanessa — a mansion in which her mom is living.

As for Kobe’s new crib, it has at least 6 bedrooms and a 2-level “sport court.”