Whitney Houston won't be taking any chances when she takes estranged husband Bobby Brown to court - she's hired one of America's most famous divorce lawyers.
The soul superstar filed documents seeking a legal separation from her husband of 14 years on Friday (08Sep06) and she's hired high-powered celebrity divorce attorney Stephen Kolodny to represent her.

Kolodny and his legal team have represented Sean Connery, Kim Basinger and Barbra Streisand, among others, and the attorney has also co-written what is considered to be the ultimate guide to divorce court strategy, The Divorce Trial Manual.

Meanwhile, in Houston's divorce documents, which were filed in Orange County Superior Court, California, and obtained by website Tmz.com, the singer is named as 'plaintiff Whitney Elizabeth', while Brown is listed as 'defendant/respondent Robert Beresford'.

Under the terms of divorce law in California, where the case will be heard, neither party will be able to "remove" their teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina from the state until after the case has been brought to trial without the written consent of the estranged spouse.

Houston and Brown wed in 1992 and shocked many critics as their marriage appeared to be lasting, but, following reports of domestic abuse that landed Brown behind bars and Houston's recent drug troubles, divorce reports have been rampant for the past 12 months. (c) WENN