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Heather and Paul on brink of resolving divorce battle
Last updated at 09:09am on 15.10.07
Looking for your wallet? Sir Paul McCartney, who stepped out for a quick coffee today in London, heading towards a full-blown public divorce hearing
Heather Mills is "quietly confident" she will get a record-breaking financial settlement from Sir Paul McCartney within days.
The pair are on the brink of resolving their divorce battle and are doing their utmost to avoid slugging it out publicly in court next February, the Daily Mail has learned.
The figures have been set, the finer details of a confidentiality clause and custody rights have been tinkered with and Miss Mills told friends: "This is the first day of the rest of my life."
Miss Mills, Sir Paul and their legal teams negotiated towards a final settlement, guided by Mr Justice Coleridge in an annexe to the Royal Courts of Justice, on Thursday.
The result is thought to be a proposal where Miss Mills will get a multi-million pound lump sum and annual payments of several million pounds.
When talks first began, Sir Paul, 65, insisted on a strict confidentiality clause covering their four-year marriage.
But 39-year-old Miss Mills felt so strongly that she should "have a voice" - in other words she should be able to write about the marriage in a biography and talk about it on chat shows - that she has forfeited as much as £1million a year to have the gag loosened.
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After his day in court: Sir Paul last night at son-in-law Alasdhair Willis's exhibition in London. From left, Willis, McCartney, his son James, and daughters Mary and Stella
Gwyneth Paltrow was another guest at the Established & Sons Gallery last night
Sir Paul is considering whether to agree or head for what has been described as "all-out war" in court.
A friend of Miss Mills's said: "It's not really in anyone's interests for that to happen.
"That said, the fact that Paul didn't say yes straight away was slightly unnerving for her."
Miss Mills, who has a daughter, Beatrice, with Sir Paul, broke down in tears during Thursday's session.
Sticking point: Heather Mills arrived on crutches to the closed meeting yesterday
"They spent eight and a half hours debating every fine detail - the wording and the figures, the so-called gagging order, how the payments would be made, a tax provision for Heather, Paul's visitation rights, how long Heather could be in America and abroad with Bea, how long Paul can take her away for without Heather."
The friend added: "It's as if she had been weakened by this long fight.
"When it became obvious that they were nearing a resolution, she just seemed to lose her composure and broke down in tears."
In happier times: The couple on the eve of their wedding in 2002
Reader views (8)
Dream on, Heather. Why on EARTH do you think ANYone's interested in what you have to say ?
- Marianne, SW France
"...leaving her to crawl to the bathroom at night."
More likely she was so knackered from all the TV dancing shows she competes in.
- Dave, London
When oh when is this awful woman going to go away. Stella was obviously right in her initial distrust of her when she got together with Paul. There is no excuse for not accepting this (exceedingly generous) offer. I hope that the magazines to whom she is hoping to sell her story (Heat, Reveal etc) have the good sense not to buy her story as it will only massively downvalue their brand.
- Liz, London
This lady should think of her child and act in accordance with the wisdom of Solomon. I certainly hope the Judge does.
- Eileen, Dominica
McCartney can afford it.
- Dave, Wookey Hole, Somerset
Be very careful Heather your quest for fame and fortune may not be what you want. Will all that money bring you happiness?
Paul let her speak. Just when you thought you couldn't think less of a
person surprise with Heather you can.
- Liz, USA
I'm sure their little girl will love the details of her parent's marriage breakdown being splashed across the newspapers. Heather should be ashamed. Take the money (it's not like she worked for it) and try to keep some dignity.
- Kay, St Albans
Why is a divorce from Heather Mills so expensive?
Because it's worth it!
- John, Roermond, Netherlands
