Recently, we told you about the astonishing decision made by Sue Ann Arnall, the recently divorced ex-wife of billionaire oil man Harold Hamm. Back in November, Arnall declined the court-approved $975 million divorce settlement because she didn't feel it was enough after their 26 years of marriage. Her lawyers cite the $18 billion Hamm is reportedly worth as the reason.
Well, a few weeks (and maybe a few Christmas bills?) can change one's mind. Arnall has decided to cash her close-to-$1 billion check from Hamm after all. But that doesn't mean that Hamm can put that case to rest. She has appealed the case in the Oklahoma Supreme Court, claiming that the earlier ruling allowed Hamm to keep the vast majority of that $18 billion.
"I will not dismiss my appeal and do not feel that my right to appeal should be denied because I have accepted, in the interim, a small portion of the estate that we built over more than two decades," Arnall said in a statement through her lawyers.
However, that estate has taken a hit recently. Hamm has lost nearly half his wealth in the past six months because of the dramatic drop in oil prices that crushed the value of his other oil company, Continental Resources, Inc. His net worth is now down to $9.3 billion, according to wealth tracking company Wealth-X. He has even gone so far as to say that he can't even afford the $975 million divorce settlement already handed out.
Many legal experts have said that taking money may hurt any further damages being awarded to her.
What do you guys think — would you have taken the money, or waited for a bigger payout? Is one in the hand better than two in the bush here? Let us know on Facebook.
For more:
Oil man Hamm's ex-wife to pursue divorce appeal despite cashing $975 million check (Retuters)