Kobe Bryant is the NBA's highest paid basketball player and, in addition to his earnings from the Los Angeles Lakers, he also earns millions each year from endorsements. It has been estimated that, all together, he made more than $50 million last year.

Bryant is now going through a divorce from his wife of 10 years, Vanessa Bryant. In an effort to keep the details of the divorce out of public view, the couple has stated that they have a reached a private divorce settlement agreement and will not publicly disclose the details of that agreement.

Although little is known about the details of the Bryant divorce, other divorcing couples in California may be interested in learning the general structure of how the financial aspects of a high-asset divorce such as theirs are decided.

Unlike many people of great wealth, Bryant and his wife did not have a prenuptial agreement in place before they married, and they also didn't create a marital agreement concerning Kobe's income and their shared property once it became clear the player was becoming a high earner. Because the couple resides in California, their divorce agreement will therefore follow the general rules of California family law.

While negotiated divorce settlement agreements can deviate in some ways from what a judge might decide in a litigated divorce, it still must comply with the basic rules of property division in California. According to California family law, the vast majority of any property either member of the couple gained during the course of the marriage is considered the couple's community property, which is typically divided between them 50-50.

In addition, because the couple has been married for 10 years, California law considers their marriage to be long-term, further cementing the expectation that all of their assets are community property. Therefore, were a judge to decide the case, Vanessa Bryant would most likely be entitled to 50 percent of the couple's assets, along with permanent spousal support (alimony) in an amount that would allow her to maintain her existing standard of living after the divorce.

It is estimated that Kobe Bryant's net worth is approximately $150 million. As a result, the divorce settlement is likely to entitle her to half of that, or approximately $75 million, plus alimony. The couple has two daughters, and they will reportedly share custody.

Source: USA Today, "Experts say Kobe Bryant's divorce could cost $75 million," Tom Weir, Jan. 14, 2012