Denise Richards Clinches Major Court Win in Spousal Support Showdown with Aaron Phypers

Denise Richards chalked up another win in her divorce from ex Aaron Phypers at a Los Angeles County hearing on Monday, April 27, as she pushes to keep sensitive financial records sealed, according to court filings.

Denise Richards just notched another small but meaningful win in her very public split from Aaron Phypers: a judge agreed to keep her financial records out of the spotlight. Here is where everything stands, and yes, it is still messy.

What happened in court this week

On Monday, April 27, Richards, 55, showed up to Los Angeles County court with her attorney, Mark Gross. Phypers, 53, and his lawyer did not appear. According to court documents cited by Us Weekly, Judge Joshua D. Wayser granted Richards request to seal sensitive financial documents. That request was first filed on February 12.

When a reporter from the California Post asked inside the courthouse when this divorce might actually end, Gross did not sugarcoat it:

"It’s hard to tell."

Quick note on the sealing: this is standard-issue protection in high-profile cases to keep paychecks, backend deals, and other money details from getting plastered all over public records. It is not flashy, but it matters.

The long road that got them here

• July 2025: Phypers, an actor known for Dirty Hands, files for divorce from the Wild Things star after six years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
• No kids together, but he lists Richards youngest, Eloise (14), as his stepdaughter. Richards adopted Eloise in 2011. She also has two adult daughters, Sami (22) and Lola (20), with ex-husband Charlie Sheen.
• Days later: Richards seeks a restraining order, alleging physical and emotional abuse during the marriage. Phypers publicly denies everything, calling the claims false and saying he has evidence to back himself up.
• October 2025: Phypers is arrested and charged with two felony counts tied to injuring a spouse and two felony counts for allegedly trying to dissuade a witness by force or threat. He pleads not guilty and is released on bond — $200,000, per earlier reporting.
• November 2025: A judge grants Richards a permanent restraining order against Phypers.
• December 2025: Phypers asks for spousal support, saying he is in debt.
• February 2026: Richards is ordered to pay $5,000 per month in temporary spousal support to Phypers, per Us Weekly.
• April 2026: Another win for Richards — a judge rules that debt collector Creditors Adjustment Bureau cannot seize her wages or assets to cover Phypers debts, and that she is not on the hook for anything he racked up before or during the marriage.

A couple quick notes

Richards is represented by Mark Gross — the same attorney who has represented Charlie Sheen — a detail that tells you how seriously she is lawyering up. Also, sealing the financials might sound boring, but it is one of those moves that keeps future fights from turning into a public spreadsheet.

Where things go next

The short version: still ongoing, still complicated, and no clear end date. For now, Richards private money details stay sealed, her paychecks stay off the table for his debts, and the temporary support order stands until the court revisits it.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.