Probably the biggest divorce of this year will soon get under way as pop megastar Madonna and her soon-to-be ex-hubby Guy Ritchie are picking some of the finest lawyers to help them get as much as possible from the split.

Madonna is one of the wealthiest stars with a US$490 million fortune to protect. She and Guy Ritchie did not sing a prenuptial contract before they tied the knot so all the ingredients for a spicy divorce are in place.

The couple released a joint statement on Wednesday and announced their divorce. Their 8-year-long marriage will soon end. The only thing unknown yet is who gets what. And here is when two of Britain’s most well-known lawyers enter the scene: Fiona "Steel Magnolia" Shackleton (for Madonna) and Lady Helen Ward (for Guy Ritchie).

Madonna’s lawyer is well known for winning cases similar to this one. Shackleton, nicknamed the "Steel Magnolia", also represented Sir Paul McCartney and Prince Charles in court in similar cases.

On the other hand, Guy Ritchie’s lawyer is just as impressive. Ward managed to secure 48 million pounds for Beverley Charman when she split from her wealthy husband.
 
Of the US$525 million joint fortune, only US$35 million belongs to Guy Ritchie, but considering the fact that the two did not sign a prenuptial agreement, the movie producer might get a lot more.