Katie Holmes - Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise And The Disposable Phone

The secretive move allowed the former Dawson's Creek star to prepare her legal case without Cruise or his staff knowing about the divorce, which explains the Hollywood star feeling "blindsided" by the shock move. By the time the deal was completed last weekend, she had already hired three law firms in three separate states. It appears the actress' quick thinking gave her a head-start in the discussions, and Holmes quickly gained primary custody of her 6-year-old daughter Suri. Reports suggest the negative publicity surrounding the Church of Scientology may have left Cruise agreeing to a deal that he may have otherwise had reservations with. Nevertheless the divorce settlement means that the Mission: Impossible actor - still one of the biggest draws in the movie world - will get visitation rights, though ultimately Holmes will decide how Suri is educated. Talks had apparently centered on the role that Scientology would play in the 6-year-old's upbringing, though having been raised a Roman Catholic, it's certainly unlikely that Holmes will choose to go down that road. In a joint statement, the former couple said, "We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents".

Under the terms of the contract, the deal will remain strictly confidential, meaning neither Cruise nor Holmes will speak publically about the reasons for the split.