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Denise Richards Ordered to Pay Ex Spousal Support and Legal Fees
Denise Richards has been ordered to pay attorney fees and spousal support based on a temporary arrangement to her ex, Aaron Phypers after they reopened their case for divorce.
While meeting them for their court hearing in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, Feb. 26, Judge Nicole Bershon also allowed Phypers to have temporary spousal support from the couple’s assets.
Referring to the court documents acquired by PEOPLE, Richards, 55, is obliged to pay Phypers, 53, $25,000 for the attorney fees in the divorce proceeding and a further $5,000 for a forensic accountant. The judge scheduled the payments to be made in three monthly installments of $10,000 at the end of March, April, and May 2026.
Besides that, the judge decided that Richards would also have to pay “pendente lite spousal support”—which is the same as temporary spousal support—of $5,000 a month. These payments will take effect on March 5, 2026, and will last until the court decides otherwise.
Judge Limits Fees to Divorce Case as Aaron Phypers’ Team Responds
The judge reiterated the in court payments of attorney fees for Aaron Phypers are strictly related to his divorce case and cannot be used as payment for the costs of a criminal defense, as per Page Six.
People Magazine has reported that it has contacted Denise Richards for a comment.
Phypers was included in a multi-count criminal complaint that was filed in October. He was forcibly removed from the courtroom in Los Angeles, handcuffed and later released on $200,000 bail. His attorney told PEOPLE at the time that he was confident the charges would “be proven false and for him to be exonerated.”
Phypers’ lawyer sent a statement to PEOPLE on Feb. 26 after the court decision, which says Richards’ “‘money and media influence can never rewrite the truth.’” “However, the truth is that Aaron Phypers’ sole defense,” the statement goes on to say.
This new point of view has emerged seven months after Phypers initiated divorce proceedings by filing for divorce in July 2025 and accused the couple of having “irreconcilable differences,” according to papers obtained by PEOPLE magazine.
Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers Exchange Accusations of Abuse During Their Divorce Process
After Aaron Phypers decided to divorce in a filing made in July 2025, Denise Richards went public with accusations that he was a domestic abuser. She said he “repeatedly abused” her throughout their relationship. They got married in September 2018 after dating for a few months since December 2017.
Phypers refused to accept the charges and in a statement to PEOPLE, he said the accusations were “completely false and deeply hurtful”. Besides that, in a July 2025 interview with TMZ, he brought infidelity charges against Richards and claimed that she physically abused him.
In the month of November, Richards received a five-year protection order against Phypers which will become invalid after November 7, 2030. She was first given a temporary protection order in July 2025.
The court order issued in November forbids Phypers from owning or buying guns, abusing Richards, disrupting her tranquility, or contacting her in any way. Moreover, the order gives permission to Richards to make a video or audio recording of any discussions they might have if there is communication between them.
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Denise Richards Reflects on Divorce and Support System
Last November, Denise Richards was one of the panelists at BravoCon, along with stars Brittany Cartwright, Luann de Lesseps, and Kim Zolciak. At the panel, she revealed that she had been “good” after the announcement of her restraining order against Aaron Phypers was made public.
“It’s a journey. I have such a wonderful support network around me,” Richards told the press. “I really appreciate it.”
Returning as a cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in the February 19 episode, the mother of three was able to talk about her divorce and the accusations of abuse. She also opened up about the point that came to her when she “just knew there was no chance at getting the marriage saved.”
