LONDON — The bitter divorce battle between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills is nearing a close.
In a hearing Monday morning, a London judge granted a preliminary decree of divorce to the former couple, according to The Associated Press. Justice Hugh Bennett says the divorce could be finalized in six weeks and one day if no one objects.
In March, Mills was awarded $48.6 million in her divorce settlement. According to a document released by London's Family Court, the 40-year-old Mills received a lump sum of $33 million, in addition to the $15.6 million in assets that she currently holds.
"I'm so, so happy with this," Mills told reporters following the hearing.
The couple's daughter, Beatrice, 4, should receive a "periodical payments order" of $70,000 per annum, the court also ruled. In addition, McCartney will pay for the child's nanny and school fees.
Mills and McCartney were married in 2002 and split four years later. She was reportedly seeking up to $250 million of the former Beatle's estate, while McCartney had argued the figure should be around 31.6 million, including her own assets.
While some have speculated that McCartney may be worth as much as $1.6 billion, Bennett said the legendary singer's assets, including his business assets, were around $800 million.
"I'm so glad it's over," Mills added following the ruling. "It was an incredible result in the end to secure mine and my daughter's future and that of all the charities that I obviously plan on helping and making a difference with — because you know it has been my life for 20 years."
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