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Actress Reese Witherspoon's separation from husband Ryan Phillippe could become particularly messy, as the couple never signed a pre-nuptial agreement, TMZ.com has reported.
The Hollywood stars met and married in 1999, before either party had achieved significant professional success.
Since then, Witherspoon has gone on to become Hollywood's highest paid actress, earning US$29 million ($43 million) for the upcoming horror film Our Family Trouble.
Unlike his Oscar-winning wife, Phillippe earns approximately US$2.5 million per film.
However, sources close to the couple say they are determined to keep the split amicable, for the sake of their two children - Ava, 7, and Deacon, 3.
Announcement of the separation came just days after Phillippe was reportedly seen kissing another blonde in Texas, where he is his filming Stop Loss.
- NZHERALD STAFF