Oklahoma Oilman Agrees to Pay Ex-Wife Nearly $1 Billion in Divorce Settlement

Harold and Sue Ann Hamm

Donald Trump's divorce from Ivana Trump cost him an estimated $25 million. Robert McCartney paid ex Heather Mills an estimated $48 million. Tiger Woods' arrangement in his split with Elin Nordegren dented his pocket by an estimated $100 mil.

But non-e approach the nearly $1 billion that Oklahoma oilman Harold Hamm must pay his ex-wife to end their 26-year marriage, according to a judgment Monday by Oklahoma County District Judge Howard R. Haralson.

But the Oilman's not complaining. "We think the judge's decision was fair as well as equitable, " his attorney, Mike Burrage, tells PEOPLE.

According to NewsOK. com, Sue Ann Hamm asked her husband to move out in February 2012. Separation and divorce papers were filed three months later, citing "mutual irreconcilable differences. "

Exactly what Sue Ann gets in the settlement, as spelled out in the judge's 80-page order that was broken down by NewsOK. com: Assets worth about $25 mil, including homes in Nichols Hills and Enid, Oklahoma, and a ranch within Carmel Valley, California; a 97. 2 percent stake in a company known as Orbit Gas Transmission, valued at $3 million; $322. 7 million at the end of this year (Harold Hamm already had paid almost $23 million in order to his now-ex-wife during the divorce proceedings); and, starting in January, at least $7 million per month until she receives the remaining $650 million, plus interest, towards a total settlement of about $995 million.

Harold Hamm keeps a house in Branson, Missouri; an office building in Enid, Oklahoma; a $10 million airplane; as well as two horses at the Carmel Valley Ranch named Star and Uno. Much more significantly, he keeps control of the publicly traded oil company, Continental Sources Inc., that he founded, continues to serve as CEO, and remains as the majority shareholder.

"This is a company he had before the marriage that increased in value during the relationship, " his attorney tells PEOPLE. "There were market forces in perform, such as the price of oil, the development of technology … The judge heard about two . 5 months of testimony and sorted that out and left all of the organization intact. He got all the stock. "

He added: "We think that the actual judge heard all of the evidence, and that it's a fair resolution of the divorce case. inch

An attorney for Sue Ann Hamm, Ron Barber, said after Monday's judgment: "We are currently evaluating Ms. Hamm's options. "

On Monday, Forbes. com put Harold Hamm's wealth - "as of this afternoon" - at $14 billion, based on his 253 million shares, or more than 70 percent ownership, associated with Continental Resources. In a May 5 cover story, Forbes magazine hailed Hamm as "The Billionaire Oilman Fueling America's Recovery. "

In an emailed declaration to the magazine after the judge's order, Harold Hamm wrote: "This has been a lengthy and arduous process and we are appreciative of Judge Haralson and his personnel for their dedication and attention to the witnesses and evidence presented. This is a reasonable and equitable outcome to the case. Out of respect for my family, we will do not have further comment on the matter. "

And according to Forbes, the divorce settlement nevertheless falls substantially short of the costliest of all time - a distinction awarded when it comes to Russian "Fertilizer King" Dmitry Rybolovlev, who was ordered in May to pay their ex-wife $4. 5 billion.