Arnie amends divorce deal, as son recovers

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has backtracked and could now provide financial support to his estranged wife Maria Shriver after they divorce, new documents show.

Mr Schwarzenegger, who filed court papers last week indicating he was resisting her request for spousal support, submitted a new filing on Monday, leaving open the option of helping Ms Shriver financially, and paying both their legal fees.

Some media reports suggest that Mr Schwarzenegger overlooked the details when his lawyer submitted the paperwork last week, and fixed them when they were brought to his attention.

Whatever the reason, the thaw in his legal position came as Mr Schwarzenegger and Ms Shriver welcomed the news that their 13-year-old son Christopher had left hospital after a boogie boarding accident put him in intensive care last week.

The former bodybuilder and film star, reported to be worth $400 million jointly with Mr Shriver, put his film comeback plans on hold after admitting in May that he had fathered a child with the couple’s former housekeeper.

Ms Shriver filed for divorce four weeks ago citing “irreconcilable differences” with her husband, whom she met in 1977 and married in 1986, and in her court documents requested spousal support.

In papers filed last week to the LA Superior Court, Mr Schwarzenegger’s lawyer checked a box seeking to make the court unable to award support, and to have the couple share the legal fees.