'RHOBH' Star Dorit Kemsley And Estranged Husband At Impasse Over Child Custody
By Afouda Bamidele on May 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM EDT
Dorit Kemsley and her estranged husband, Paul Kemsley, square up for war over their kids!
The former couple's ongoing divorce has taken a nasty turn now that custody of the kids is involved, as they are stuck between one party having it all or an equal division.
Dorit Kemsley filed for divorce from Paul Kemsley in May 2024 after nearly ten years of marriage, which began in 2015, and two kids together.
Dorit Kemsley Initially Requested Primary Custody Of Their Two Children
Dorit's shocking divorce filing last month signaled the potential for a custody battle over their two children, 11-year-old Jagger and 9-year-old Phoenix.
Initial court documents show Dorit sought the kids' primary legal and physical custody. However, Paul, AKA PK, has since responded with a request for joint custody.
The couple married in March 2015 and announced their separation before reaching their 10th anniversary in May 2024. Additionally, PK aims to prevent the court from awarding spousal support to Dorit.
Amid these developments, Dorit expressed to TMZ that she is focusing on her children and taking things one day at a time.
The Businessman Defended Himself After His Ex Tagged Him As An Extreme Alcoholic
Last year, The Blast shared that Dorit's estranged husband responded to her claim during an episode of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," where she labeled him "a full-blown alcoholic."
In a guest appearance on Bravo's "Hot Mic Podcast," which aired on December 24, 2024, PK acknowledged that his drinking contributed to their marriage's breakdown. He, however, stressed that it was just one aspect of their separation.
The mogul pointed out that alcoholism is a symptom rather than the root cause of their issues. PK expressed concern over Dorit's understanding of sobriety and asserted that he is committed to his recovery.
"I'm in full-blown recovery," he noted, suggesting that the term "full-blown" more accurately describes his current state than her portrayal of him.
Paul Clocked One Year On His Sobriety Journey
During the podcast, PK shared that he is approaching a year of sobriety, expressing his surprise and disappointment at his wife Dorit's characterization of him as "a full-blown alcoholic."
He emphasized his pride in this milestone, noting that he will celebrate 12 months of sobriety in just two weeks after his appearance on that podcast. PK spoke about how sobriety has positively impacted his life, enabling him to breathe and inspiring him to share his journey publicly.
He aims to motivate others by showing that recovery is possible, even in the darkest times, and acknowledges the importance of support from others in navigating this challenging emotional journey.
"My public sharing of my sobriety was about recovery. It was to inspire other people... it doesn't matter how dark it gets, you can recover. You can't do it on your own," Paul declared.
The Reality TV Star Offered Her Perspective On Her Co-Star's Marital Woes
As last year packed up, the TV queen shared her thoughts on her co-star Kyle Richards' marital challenges. As shared by The Blast, her comment came in light of the viral photos of Richards' estranged husband, Mauricio Umansky, sharing kisses with model Klaudia in Aspen.
Dorit empathized with Richards, acknowledging that she would feel upset in a similar situation. While she is still contemplating whether to invite her estranged husband, PK, for Christmas, her priority remains their children's happiness.
She mentioned that although reconciliation with PK is not currently on the table, their focus is on co-parenting. When asked about Richards, the Bravo star emphasized the importance of friendship and support, believing that people can get through difficult times together with the right intentions.
Inside Paul And Dorit Kemsley's Complicated Marriage
The couple did not have the tail end of their now broken marriage rosy, as seen in the last season of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."
During a heated argument on the show, Dorit's co-star Sutton Stracke addressed the turmoil surrounding her personal life. Stracke remarked that Dorit seemed to be directing her anger towards her instead of confronting her frustrations.
The mom-of-two eventually acknowledged her difficult circumstances, stating, "My life sucks right now" and expressing her frustration with a lack of tolerance for any additional negativity.
She emphasized her desire for transparency about her struggles, making it clear that she was in a rough spot emotionally.
Will Dorit Kemsley and Paul Kemsley find common ground?
