His wife Robin filed in the U.S. In California. Community property state So she's entitled to half - and deservedly so. For dealing with an alcoholic all these years - stories of his drinking binges go all the way back to 1985 and earlier - and staying home and raising their 7 children.
She wants spousal support and obviously child support for their last child who is 10 (all the others are adults now) and her half of the property. No pre-nup. She met him when he was just starting out - an Australian movie/TV star.
It would be funny if he does follow the Church on marriage. I doubt that he does though. For all his piety and the Church still considering them married, he doesn't want to pay spousal support. So he's not feeling married as far as that is concerned.
Hmm, seems his wife is Episcopalian. Mel's already been quoted as saying she's not on the list to get into heaven.
In the eyes of the Church, the two are still married. It only becomes a problem only when they decide to get remarried.
Or if they start having sex with other people.
If either want to bad enough, they can get their marriage annulled. They even have a good excuse - his addictions.