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Denise Richards has secured a significant legal victory in her ongoing divorce battle with estranged husband Aaron Phypers, after a Los Angeles judge ruled that her income cannot be used to settle his debts.
According to court documents, the judge denied an attempt by debt collection company Creditors Adjustment Bureau to seize Richards' "wages and other assets" in order to cover Phypers' financial obligations. The motion, initially filed in September 2025, was denied "without prejudice."
The court further ruled that Richards, 55, is not financially responsible for debts Phypers accumulated "before or during" their six-year marriage. In the ruling, the judge made it clear that the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star is not "subject" to her estranged husband's liabilities since she did not "incur the debt" herself.
Phypers, 53, has been facing mounting financial troubles. He was previously sued in 2022 over an unpaid loan, with a judge later issuing a default judgment of $228,000. In addition, he has outlined debts reportedly totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, including unpaid rent, loans and legal fees.
The couple's legal dispute dates back to July 2025, when Phypers filed for divorce. Shortly after, Richards sought a restraining order, alleging abuse during the marriage. During a February appearance on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she claimed, "hit me on the side of my head" following a surgical procedure, adding, "That's when I really knew there's no hope at ever, ever salvaging this marriage at all."
Phypers has strongly denied the allegations. In a previous statement, he said, "Not true. Conjured up. I have the real evidence. I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise — or anyone." He added that the accusations are "completely false and deeply hurtful," maintaining that he approached their marriage "with love, patience and respect."
Amid the divorce proceedings, Phypers has also faced criminal charges, including two felony counts of injuring a spouse and two counts related to dissuading a witness by force or threat.
Despite her recent legal win, Richards was earlier ordered to pay $5,000 per month in temporary spousal support, along with $30,000 in legal fees. Reacting to the situation earlier this year, she said, "Say whatever you want about me... I'll deal with that after the divorce," but criticised efforts involving her family, calling them "outrageous" and "wrong."
The case remains ongoing.
