Inside Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler’s Divorce

Reality TV star Kristin Cavallari and ex-NFL quarterback Jay Cutler were considered #CoupleGoals by fans of their hit show Very Cavallari. The attractive pair had everything going for them: three beautiful kids, a nice house, budding careers in entertainment, and a loving marriage—or at least the appearance of one.

News of their decision to divorce seemed to come out of nowhere and surprised many fans. On April 21, just weeks after they returned from a family holiday in the Bahamas, the couple announced their decision to divorce after a decade of marriage.

While the sudden announcement shocked fans, Kristin told People that it “didn’t happen overnight.” She said they “tried really, really hard for years and years” and that it “was the hardest decision [she’d] ever made.”

There was clearly a lot of turmoil in this marriage that was hidden from the public. Here’s everything we know about the Cavallari and Cutler divorce, including information on how you can amicably reach a divorce settlement even if you’re not a celebrity.

What We Know About the Cavallari and Cutler Split

Kristin and Jay have reportedly been discussing divorce for some time. “They have had divorce talks back and forth for a while,” a source told People. “They didn’t want to get a divorce because of the kids. Kristin was very torn about it. When she realized that it just wasn’t possible for them to stay married, her focus was on keeping things amicable.”

Cavallari told People that she and Cutler had struggled privately for years and made a conscious effort to keep their marriage troubles hidden. The couple met in Chicago in 2010. Three years later, the former Hills star and ex Chicago Bears quarterback tied the knot. They have three children together: Camden, 8; Jaxon, 6; and Saylor, 4.

In the divorce filings, Jay cited “irreconcilable differences.” Kristin cited both “irreconcilable differences” and “inappropriate marital conduct.” In her divorce response, Kristin claimed Jay “is guilty of such inappropriate marital conduct as renders further cohabitation unsafe and improper.”

“I always thought it was interesting when people would refer to us as ‘couple goals,’” Kristin told People. “I was like, ‘if you guys only knew.’”

According to Kristin, the producers of Very Cavallari saw signs of a rift but thankfully didn’t put them in the show. A source told People that Jay “would make her cry all the time during production. He talked down to her and belittled her.” There have also been rumors that Jay was cheating on Kristin with her ex-BFF Kelly Henderson, though Kristin’s camp has denied the allegations.

Cavallari and Cutler Reach Divorce Settlement

Reaching a divorce settlement is often the most contentious part of the entire process, and Cavallari and Cutler were no exception. Their divorce settlement negotiations initially did not go well, according to news sources. The press said Cutler was preventing Cavallari from buying a new house with her own money unless she agreed to share joint custody of their kids, for example.

According to filings, Cavallari has been searching for a new home as early as November 2018. She says Cutler did not object to her doing so. However, after they returned from their Bahamas trip in April, Jay purportedly refused to let Kristin take money from their joint bank account. His attorney told their business manager not to release the funds for the house. Kristin called it Jay’s idea of “punishing her for not accepting his offer” of a settlement, according to press sources.

Child Custody Agreement Details

Cavallari and Cutler eventually reached a custody agreement in June. Documents obtained by People state they “have entered into a Permanent Parenting Plan that they attest is in the best interest of their minor children and ask the Court to approve and adopt the same as its Order.”

The kids are to remain at their Nashville home until Cavallari moves into a new home. Currently, the couple split their time with their children. But once Kristin moves into her new home, the kids will “spend time with each parent in their respective residence during said parent’s respective parenting time.”

The couple agreed to be named “joint primary residential parents,” each spending 182.5 days with the kids a year. The pair will alternate time with the children on a week-on, week-off basis. Jay will get the kids every other Friday after school until the next Friday, when Kristin will take over.

Such arrangements are common for divorced parents. Child custody is an issue divorcing couples who have kids together have to face. It is often a contested issue in divorces that have disputes. Thankfully, it appears Cavallari and Cutler settled aside their differences and put their children’s best interests first, reportedly settling into a “solid co-parenting routine.”

Need Help with Your Divorce Settlement?

Kristin and Jay’s divorce may be messy, but their troubles aren’t representative of most divorces. The divorce settlement covers many areas, including property and asset distribution, spousal support, child custody, and visitation rights. It’s only natural that there may be contention when coming to an agreement.

Contact A People’s Choice for more information about divorce settlements. We can offer you the tools you need to reach an agreement with your spouse. We can also assist you with filing a motion if you and your spouse are in disagreement over the settlement. Call us for more information at 800-747-2780.