Kelly Clarkson just took a major step forward in the divorce proceedings between her and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
Clarkson filed for divorce over a year ago, in June 2020. Now, according to The Daily Mail, she’s been declared legally single by a judge.
UsWeekly obtained the court documents earlier today, on Friday, Sept. 24. They show where a judge signed off on them a month ago, declaring the two single. Per the documents, the couple’s “marital or domestic partnership status” will officially end on January 7, 2022.
When Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce last year due to “irreconcilable differences,” it kicked off a messy legal battle over money, property, and the couple’s two children.
Back in November 2020, Clarkson won custody over seven-year-old River and five-year-old Remington. According to The Daily Mail, she’s supposed to pay 70% of the school fees and other expenses for her children. This July, the court also ordered her to pay almost $200,000 every month in child and spousal support to Blackstock. The outlet said she’ll continue to pay those costs through the divorce proceedings.
A lot of the legal battles fought between Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock also revolved around their individual financial statuses. Clarkson reportedly brings in more than $1.5 million every month, while Blackstock’s income hovers around $10,000 a month.
This created further strain between the couple when Clarkson refused to pay for a ranch in Montana where Blackstock currently lives. The upkeep of the ranch costs $81,000 a month, and back in August, a judge ruled that Blackstock would have to foot the bill for it.
Though he may not have to worry about it for long, because a judge recently revealed that Clarkson now owns the ranch.
Kelly Clarkson Wins Prenup Battle Amid Divorce from Brandon Blackstock
Last month, TMZ broke the news that a judge had upheld a prenup between Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock. The judge essentially ruled that what Clarkson earned belonged to her while what Blackstock earned belonged to him. Bad news for Blackstock.
Now, The Daily Mail reports that Clarkson’s assets include $45 million and that Montana ranch. Even if Blackstock lives there, Clarkson bought it while they were married, so she owns it. And it sounds like she’s looking to sell.
According to TMZ, Blackstock could make selling the ranch difficult while he’s still living there. He doesn’t have to move out unless/until a judge orders him to do so. He could refuse to do showings of the ranch, or keep it generally in a not-sellable condition. At that point, Clarkson would have to go back to a judge and establish ground rules about the ranch. She can lay out all the minor details, from how often the showing occurs to how much advance notice Blackstock gets when someone’s coming.
Hopefully, the rest of the divorce proceedings wrap up sooner rather than later for the country star.
