This week, a Los Angeles family law judge approved the divorce settlement of pop superstar Katy Perry and British actor Russell Brand. However, the divorce will not be finalized until July 14 because of the six-month waiting period required by California law.

The couple was able to reach a private settlement on all matters to their divorce less than six weeks after the breakup was announced. Brand filed for divorce from Perry on December 30, citing irreconcilable differences.

The terms of the settlement will be kept confidential, which is why many celebrities choose to handle their divorces this way. Had the divorce gone to trial, much of the information disclosed would have been open to the public.

Perry and Brand were married in a lavish ceremony held at a tiger reserve in India. Both were at the height of their careers when the nuptials took place, which is why people were surprised to learn that the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement.

California follows community property rules when it comes to asset division, which means all income earned by both parties is to be split equally upon divorce if there is no prenuptial agreement to state otherwise.

In this case, the media speculated that Brand, who earned much less than Perry during the marriage, may have been entitled to half of the millions earned by the pop star during the marriage. However, a source said that Brand was not interested in any of Perry's money.

At this point, little information has been released about why the couple split, and court papers did not indicate when the couple's official separation began. Hopefully, they find happiness in their post-divorce lives.

Sources: Huffington Post, "Katy Perry, Russell Brand Finalize Divorce," Anthony McCartney, Feb. 8, 2012; CNN, "Katy Perry, Russell Brand reach divorce settlement," Feb. 9, 2012