A recent divorce between reality TV stars involves all kinds of financial and legal complexities. There are numerous disputes to unpack, including a unique question regarding filming rights within the marital home. In addition, a defamation lawsuit regarding social media posts adds even more fuel to this complex fire. What does this case teach us about divorce in the United States, if anything?
Reality TV Star Gets “Temporary Sole Possession” of Family Home
A star from the reality show Real Housewives of Atlanta is celebrating after she was granted temporary sole possession of her family home during her divorce proceedings. According to numerous reports, this home was initially purchased by her estranged husband before the couple signed their marriage contract. In other words, it is “separate property” under Georgia law.
While one would expect that the husband will get ownership of the residence when the divorce becomes final, the wife’s role as a reality TV star complicates this issue. She argued that she not only needed sole ownership of the property but also the exclusive right to film within the premises. Since the husband technically owns the property, a judge effectively ordered him to allow the filming to continue. The concept of filming rights in a family home is a subject that few divorce lawyers ever have to address.
Needless to say, the husband expressed his disagreement with this arrangement. Imagine purchasing a home and then marrying a woman who divorces you 15 months later. Not only does this woman continue to live in your home, but she also uses it as a film set to generate more income. Meanwhile, you either sleep in a hotel or rent an apartment.
The fact that this wife has continued her reality TV career is another source of disagreement among the spouses. The husband argues that she presented herself as a stay-at-home parent who had no time for her career – but her actions behind the scenes seem to contradict this. He argues that even while she was negotiating her divorce settlement, she was simultaneously working on a new TV deal with a major production company.
Husband Files Separate Defamation Lawsuit in Midst of Divorce
While this controversy continues, the estranged husband has decided to file a separate defamation lawsuit. The husband accuses his former spouse of spreading lies on social media, falsely implying that he struggled with erectile dysfunction throughout the marriage. He points to several of her social media posts that cover the topic of erectile dysfunction, claiming that these posts were designed specifically to humiliate him and ruin his reputation.
It should be noted that none of these social media posts mentioned him specifically. Nevertheless, the husband claims that they have destroyed his ability to have normal personal relationships – stating that he is now met with “skepticism and pity” by potential romantic partners. He also argues that his professional reputation has been affected and that these allegations “loom large” over his career.
Needless to say, this is a complex divorce with many moving parts.
About the author