Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi confirmed in an April 13, 2026 People interview that she and former Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Bret Hedican finalized their divorce in 2025 after 23 years of marriage. For California residents, the amicable split illustrates how Cal. Fam. Code § 2310 treats long-duration marriages — triggering permanent spousal support jurisdiction, 50/50 community property division, and no-fault resolution without public filings.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Kristi Yamaguchi and Bret Hedican confirmed their divorce after 23 years of marriage |
| When | Separated 2023, finalized 2025, publicly confirmed April 13, 2026 |
| Where | California (couple resides in the San Francisco Bay Area) |
| Who's affected | Yamaguchi (54), Hedican (55), and their two adult daughters, Keara and Emma |
| Key statutes | Cal. Fam. Code §§ 2310, 2339, 2550, 4320, 4336 |
| Practical impact | Long-duration marriage (10+ years) triggers indefinite spousal support jurisdiction under California law |
The couple married in 2000, three years after Yamaguchi won gold at the 1992 Albertville Olympics. Hedican won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. They told People they "amicably thought maybe we aren't at our happiest" and decided they'd "be happier separating." The divorce was not publicly filed or announced — a legal outcome California's court system specifically permits for couples with the resources to pursue private resolution.
Why This Matters Legally
The Yamaguchi-Hedican split qualifies as a "long-duration marriage" under California law, and that classification changes nearly every legal calculation in the case. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4336, any marriage lasting 10 years or more is presumed to be of long duration, and California courts retain indefinite jurisdiction over spousal support — meaning a supported spouse can return to court years or decades later if circumstances change.
At 23 years, the marriage also falls well past the threshold where courts apply the traditional "half the length of the marriage" guideline for short-term alimony. Instead, support in long-duration California marriages can continue until remarriage, death, or court modification. This is a sharp departure from states like Texas, where spousal maintenance is capped at 10 years maximum regardless of marriage length.
The couple's decision to finalize privately in 2025 without public announcement is legally straightforward. California permits divorce records to remain a matter of public filing, but settlement terms reached through private mediation or collaborative divorce never require court disclosure beyond the final judgment.
How California Law Handles This
California is a pure no-fault divorce state. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 2310, the only grounds are "irreconcilable differences" or permanent legal incapacity. Neither spouse must prove wrongdoing, and courts will not consider marital misconduct when dividing property or setting support. The Yamaguchi-Hedican statement that they "aren't at our happiest" is effectively the exact legal standard California requires.
Community property division follows Cal. Fam. Code § 760 and Cal. Fam. Code § 2550, which mandate equal (50/50) division of all assets and debts acquired during marriage. For a couple married 23 years, this typically includes:
- Primary residence and any secondary properties purchased during marriage
- Retirement accounts (401(k)s, IRAs, pensions) accrued after the wedding date
- Business interests, endorsement income, and royalties earned during marriage
- Investment accounts and brokerage holdings
- Vehicles, art, collectibles, and personal property
Separate property — assets owned before marriage, inheritances, and gifts — remains with the original owner under Cal. Fam. Code § 770. Yamaguchi's 1992 Olympic gold medal and Hedican's pre-2000 NHL contract earnings would qualify as separate property. However, any appreciation on those assets during the marriage, and income derived from them during the marriage, may be partially community property under California's complex tracing rules.
Spousal support analysis under Cal. Fam. Code § 4320 requires courts to weigh 14 statutory factors, including each spouse's earning capacity, standard of living established during marriage, duration of the marriage, age and health of both parties, and any documented domestic violence. For amicable high-asset divorces, spouses often negotiate a lump-sum buyout or structured settlement that eliminates ongoing support obligations — a common choice when both parties want financial independence.
California also enforces a mandatory 6-month waiting period from the date of service before any divorce becomes final under Cal. Fam. Code § 2339. Even for couples who agree on all terms, the divorce cannot be finalized in less than six months. If Yamaguchi and Hedican separated in 2023 and finalized in 2025, their timeline suggests roughly two years of negotiation — typical for a long-duration marriage with complex assets.
Practical Takeaways for California Residents
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Document your separation date carefully. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 70, the date of separation is the moment one spouse communicates an intent to end the marriage and begins acting consistently with that intent. All income and assets acquired after this date are separate property — making the date legally and financially critical.
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Consider private mediation or collaborative divorce. California's court system allows couples to resolve divorce entirely outside public litigation. Settlement agreements reached privately are submitted to the court as a stipulated judgment, avoiding depositions, public hearings, and media attention.
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Calculate spousal support exposure before separating. Marriages of 10+ years trigger indefinite spousal support jurisdiction. Use California's county-specific guideline calculators (such as DissoMaster) to estimate exposure before making settlement proposals.
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Identify separate vs. community property early. In marriages over 20 years, asset tracing becomes complex. Appreciation, commingling, and reinvestment can convert separate property into community property. Hire a forensic accountant for any marriage with substantial pre-marital assets.
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Plan for retirement account division. Under California's Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) process, retirement accounts are divided without triggering early withdrawal penalties or taxes. This is standard in long-duration divorces and requires separate court orders beyond the main judgment.
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Address adult children thoughtfully. The Yamaguchi-Hedican daughters are adults, so child custody is not at issue. However, California courts do not order child support for adult children except in cases of disability under Cal. Fam. Code § 3910, and voluntary contributions to adult children's expenses (college, weddings, down payments) should be negotiated separately in the marital settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in California after 20+ years of marriage?
California's mandatory waiting period is 6 months from the date of service under Cal. Fam. Code § 2339, but long-duration marriages typically take 12-24 months to finalize. Complex asset division, retirement account QDROs, and spousal support negotiations extend the timeline. The Yamaguchi-Hedican case took approximately 2 years from 2023 separation to 2025 finalization.
Is Olympic prize money considered community property in California divorce?
Olympic prize money earned before marriage is separate property under Cal. Fam. Code § 770. However, income earned from endorsements, appearances, and royalties tied to Olympic achievements during the marriage qualifies as community property subject to 50/50 division under Cal. Fam. Code § 2550, regardless of which spouse earned it.
Do California courts require public disclosure of divorce terms?
No. California requires the divorce judgment to be filed publicly, but settlement terms negotiated through mediation or collaborative divorce remain confidential. Only the final dissolution order becomes public record. Couples can structure marital settlement agreements to minimize disclosed financial details while still obtaining a valid judgment.
What is the spousal support rule for marriages over 10 years in California?
Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4336, marriages lasting 10 years or more are considered "long duration," and California courts retain indefinite jurisdiction over spousal support. Unlike short marriages (where support typically lasts half the marriage length), long-duration marriage support can continue until remarriage, death, or a substantial change in circumstances.
Can divorced couples keep their separation private in California?
Yes. California permits divorce resolution through private mediation, collaborative divorce, or negotiated settlement without public court hearings. While the final judgment must be filed, the underlying financial disclosures, settlement negotiations, and mediation discussions remain confidential. This is the standard approach for high-asset or public-figure divorces.
Working With a California Family Law Attorney
Long-duration marriages involve permanent spousal support jurisdiction, complex community property tracing, and retirement account division that requires specialized legal expertise. If you're considering separation after 10+ years of marriage in California, connect with a local California divorce attorney who handles complex asset division and long-duration cases.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.