Erika Girardi, also known as Erika Jayne, has been working to save her assets and protect the brand she's built from the messy details of her divorce announcement that are shaking the reality world. She announced her divorce from her husband Tom Girardi in this statement released in November 2020:
"After much consideration, I have decided to end my marriage to Tom Girardi. This is not a step taken lightly or easily. I have great love and respect for Tom and for our years and the lives we built together. It is my absolute wish to proceed through this process with respect and with the privacy that both Tom and I deserve. I request others give us that privacy as well."
Erika Jayne's estranged husband is a high-profile attorney best known for his involvement with the Erin Brockovich PG&E trial from the late 90s. He is being investigated for misappropriating funds from his legal practice intended for clients. Erika and Tom were married for 20 years before she filed for divorce last year.
Are There Any Assets to Debate?
The once power couple didn't have a prenuptial agreement in place, so the fate of their marital assets is unknown. They share a $13 million estate in Pasadena, California, which boasts over 10,000 square feet, four bedrooms, a library, and a pool. Mrs. Girardi's estimated net worth is close to $5 million, which she earned from her role on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She also has a music career that's yielded nine top Billboard dance hits. Before the beginning of his current legal trouble, Tom's self-reported net worth was $264 million. He claimed he had a mixture of cash and investment, but he later said the money was gone, and he wasn't sure where it was spent.
Criminal Court Complications Impact Divorce Proceedings
There hasn't been much movement in the Girardi divorce since the beginning of the year. Speculation around the criminal charges against Tom Girardi has occupied much of the conversation surrounding this divorce. A surprising amount of the details of this case have played out on the small screen during Erika Jayne's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills scenes. Her castmates have been peppering her with questions and concerns each week, highlighting the biggest question going forward for Mrs. Girardi – how much she knew about her husband's business dealings and alleged financial crimes.
Because of the criminal proceedings, the Girardi's have had most of their assets frozen. While many in the media are asking what the wife knew of her husband's alleged crimes, Erika Jayne, by her own admission, says she asked her husband for details of their financial circumstances, and when he refused, she backed down. The Los Angeles Times reported that Mrs. Girardi's company received a loan from her husband's law firm, Girardi Keese. It was also reported early this month that the famed law firm was saddled with $100 million in debt.
Cairns Law Group
You may not have a high-asset divorce to worry about, but at Cairns Law Group, our attorneys can work to help you complete all the documents to get your divorce processed. Every divorce is different, so while your divorce may not be straightforward, don't let the complications slow you down. We realize that life is filled with ups and downs, and sometimes you need the help of legal professionals to navigate the court system. Call us today at (888) 863-9115 to schedule a consultation to discuss your case or reach out to our team online.
