Denise Richards has been ordered to pay her estranged husband Aaron Phypers $5,000 a month in temporary spousal support.
The actress, 55, and her ex, 53, are in the midst of divorce proceedings after separating last summer and during the latest court hearing related to the split, Judge Nicole Bershon ruled Denise must pay Aaron the monthly amount and contribute $30,000 towards his legal fees.
The judge clarified the attorney’s fees apply only to the divorce case and not to Aaron’s criminal defence.
Aaron is currently facing four felony counts – two felony counts of injuring a spouse and two felony counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat – allegations he has denied.
The $30,000 in legal fees will be paid in three instalments, with the first $10,000 due at the end of March.
Judge Bershon itemised the monthly $5,000 support payment as $2,000 for rent, $1,000 for a car, $1,000 for food and the remaining sum for miscellaneous expenses.
Aaron told the court on Thursday (26.02.26) he had only $200 to his name and said the ruling would “certainly help” but that he was taking matters “one day at a time”.
According to the California Post, Denise muttered she could not “afford” the payments when the decision was announced. Denise also told the court she “could barely pay for (her) attorney” and had been “blowing through everything” she was making during her marriage to Aaron, which lasted from 2018 to 2025.
She also said she has “nothing” invested.
Her lawyer, Mark Gross, argued the financial burden of caring for Denise’s 14-year-old daughter Eloise, who has a rare chromosomal disorder resulting in developmental delays, was “pretty extraordinary”.
He said: “Victims of abuse shouldn’t be required to support their abuser” – referencing Denise being granted a permanent restraining order against Aaron in November 2025.
Aaron’s lawyer responded the Quantum 360 founder has not been convicted of the charges.
In January, Denise reflected on what she described on Instagram as a “painful year” of “letting go (and) truths being exposed”.
She wrote: “As painful as it is, I’m so grateful for the clarity.”
Denise was previously married to Charlie Sheen, with whom she shares daughters Sami and Lola.
Aaron was previously married to actress Nicolette Sheridan before their divorce in 2018.
