Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers’ Tumultuous Divorce Saga Continues
Hollywood, CA – September 10, 2025 – The contentious divorce proceedings between actress Denise Richards, 52, and Aaron Phypers have reached a new crescendo, marked by a whirlwind of shocking allegations, court-ordered restrictions, and a deeply personal property dispute. Just over two months since Phypers, 52, initiated divorce proceedings, the former couple remains locked in a bitter legal battle that has seen both sides hurl accusations ranging from domestic violence and theft to infidelity and substance abuse.
On Monday, September 8, 2025, a scheduled hearing for Richards’ restraining order request was postponed to next month, extending the already fraught legal standoff. However, a significant interim ruling was made: a judge granted Richards temporary access to one of the couple’s shared residences on September 13. This access is specifically for Richards to retrieve “her mother’s and her own personal property, including the dogs,” while Phypers is mandated to remain at least 100 yards away from the property, upholding a temporary restraining order (TRO) Richards secured against him in July. Furthermore, Phypers has been ordered to return Richards’ laptop and an old cell phone by the end of day on September 9, items the actress claims he unlawfully took.
A Tumultuous Marriage and Abrupt Separation
Phypers, an actor and entrepreneur, filed for divorce on July 7, 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences” and listing July 4, 2025, as their date of separation. The couple had wed in a private Malibu ceremony in September 2018, a union that lasted just under seven years before its dramatic unraveling. Richards, however, has contested Phypers’ stated separation date, marking it “TBD” in her own filings.
Accusations Fly: Domestic Violence to Digital Theft
The initial divorce filing quickly spiraled into a public war of words and legal actions. Days after Phypers filed, Richards accused him of “repeatedly abus[ing]” her throughout their marriage, leading to the temporary restraining order being granted in mid-July. Richards’ attorney, Brett Berman, further alleged that Phypers continued to harass the actress post-TRO by “disseminating private information” from her stolen cell phone and laptop.
Phypers has vehemently denied all allegations of physical abuse as “completely false and deeply hurtful.” He also refuted claims of theft, stating, “Nothing was stolen, and nothing is missing — except, perhaps, Ms. Richards’ moral compass.”
Phypers’ Counter-Claims: Infidelity, Addiction, and Neglect
In response, Phypers has launched his own volley of accusations against the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum. He claimed Richards engaged in an adulterous affair at the beginning of 2025 and that she physically assaulted him, hitting, scratching, and smashing his phone. More gravely, Phypers alleged in a letter to friends and family, obtained by Page Six, that Richards suffers from a Vicodin addiction, a problem he claims has persisted for “over 20 years.” He stated, “She’s no longer eating real meals, and I’ve witnessed her pass out from substances — putting herself and others in danger, including while driving with our daughter,” referring to their adopted daughter, Eloise.
Phypers also asserted that Richards has been largely absent from the lives of their shared pets, claiming she “hasn’t interacted with the animals in two years.”
Property Disputes and a Heartbreaking Loss
The escalating conflict extends to their shared properties and even their beloved animals. On August 20, Richards requested a court order for Phypers and his family to vacate her Calabasas property, where he reportedly resides with his parents and brother. Richards expressed concern for her dogs and belongings, alleging that “Aaron and his parents and brother have severely damaged” the home, leaving it “in a state of disarray.” She also revealed fears that her pets could be harmed or her property destroyed during an impending eviction due to Phypers’ alleged unpaid rent.
A particularly distressing incident occurred on August 3, when Richards visited the home Phypers was occupying, despite her existing temporary restraining order. While the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department responded and found “no evidence that a crime occurred,” Richards’ lawyer clarified that she entered the home “to retrieve her dogs after learning that Mr. Phypers had put down one of her other dogs without her knowledge or permission.” Phypers, however, dismissed Berman’s account as an attempt to “protect your client,” denying the claims.
Financial Demands and a Ghost of Divorces Past
Adding to the complexity, Richards recently requested that Phypers be ordered to pay her spousal support and cover her attorney’s fees. She also asked the court to terminate its ability to award him support, a move consistent with high-profile divorce proceedings.
In a fiery statement responding to Richards’ latest financial requests, Phypers drew a striking parallel to Richards’ past, claiming, “Denise Richards is attempting to humiliate me again, just as she did with her first ex, Charlie Sheen, six years ago today!” He further quoted Sheen, saying, “‘D and her legal posse only deal in fiction. My day in court is painfully overdue. She is behaving like a coward, and the truth will prevail.'” Phypers concluded, asserting, “Our family has been ruined by Denise’s lies of promising to end a year-long affair.”
As the former couple prepares for their next court appearance, the saga of their divorce continues to unfold, promising further revelations in a case that has already captivated public attention with its depth of personal allegations and legal maneuvers. The full scope of their community assets and debts remains “unknown at this time,” setting the stage for more contentious battles ahead.
