Denise Richards faced a significant financial setback in court Monday when a judge ordered her to pay $5,000 per month in temporary spousal support to her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, as their divorce proceedings continue. The ruling also requires Richards to pay an additional $30,000 in attorney's fees.
According to The California Post, Richards reportedly muttered "I can't afford it" when the order was issued during Monday's hearing. The comment underscores the financial strain the actress claims to be experiencing despite her estranged husband's assertions about her substantial income.
When Phypers filed for divorce in July, he stated he had no income and requested spousal support from Richards. In his filing, Phypers estimated that Richards was earning more than $250,000 monthly from various revenue streams, including OnlyFans, brand deals, television gigs, and appearances.
The court ruling represents a reversal of what Richards had sought. She had requested spousal support from Phypers, but the judge ultimately determined that the financial obligation should flow in the opposite direction. The temporary support order will remain in effect as the divorce case proceeds through the legal system.
The $5,000 monthly payment, combined with the substantial attorney's fees, marks a costly outcome for Richards in what has become a contentious dissolution of marriage. The temporary nature of the support order means the final financial arrangements between the parties will be determined as the divorce case moves forward.
Phypers' claim of having no income stands in stark contrast to his estimate of Richards' monthly earnings, which formed the basis of his spousal support request. The judge's decision to grant that request, despite Richards' stated inability to afford the payments, suggests the court found merit in Phypers' financial claims and income disparity arguments.