Bravo fans were shocked by the news on Monday that Kim Zolciak has filed for divorce from Kroy Berman. Viewers watched their love story unfold on television for nearly a decade, but it looks like all we need is Andy Cohen and a camera as a legal expert expects it to turn ugly.
tmz Berman's divorce filing and is seeking sole legal and physical custody of his and Zolciak's four children. the former real housewives of atlanta The star, in her petition, sought primary physical custody and joint legal custody. celebrity divorce lawyer Charlotte Christian tells Yahoo that Berman is sending a message along with the document.
“A request for sole custody indicates that this may be a bad divorce because most divorce complaints ask for some degree of joint custody,” explains Christian. late to the party The stars are parents to Kroy “KJ” Jagger Jr., 11, Kash, 10, and 9-year-old twins, Kane and Kaia.
“To be awarded sole custody, a parent must prove that the best interests of the child will be served by staying with one parent the majority of the time, based on the parenting decisions of that parent and the other parent. The father would only visit the child,” continues Christian. “Generally speaking, for sole custody to be awarded, a parent must be unwilling or unable to parent and sole custody is rarely awarded.”
Zolciak is the mother of two daughters from a former relationship, the impressive Brielle Berman, 26, and Arianna Berman, 21. The former Atlanta Falcons player legally adopted him years ago, but he is not affected by custody issues, given his age.
News of the divorce comes shortly after a TMZ report that Zolciak and Berman are in financial trouble. He apparently owes $1.1 million in unpaid taxes and his Georgia mansion went into foreclosure earlier this year. In his filing, the ex-NFL star requested Zolciak retain all financial documents.
“If the tax bill is in both of their names, they will be liable for both taxes,” explains Christian. “The IRS voids the divorce decree or any agreement between the parties. The IRS will come after them separately for tax debts incurred by both of them.”
A rep for Zolciak did not comment on the situation when contacted by Yahoo. Neither she nor Berman have spoken publicly about the divorce — but she seems to have addressed it subtly on Instagram.
Burman's instagram bio Reads, “Husband. Father of six perfect munchkins. Athlete. You can Google me and see I wasn't too lazy to turn up for that party.”
Cohen, who knows the former couple well, said he was “very shocked” by the news.
“I was very surprised. This was not news I ever expected. They seemed very much in love and just together. I mean, they were a couple, yeah, I thought they were in it for the long haul.” ,” the executive producer shared on Tuesday's SiriusXM Andy Cohen Live. ,Sorry to hear that there may be some financial issues. TMZ is reporting that he owes over a million dollars to the IRS. Texted with Kim a little bit yesterday, sent my condolences because it's a sad thing. They have kids and that was just a couple who seemed very much in love.”