Denise Richards looked strained as she left a Beverly Hills law office on Thursday after a nine-hour deposition in her divorce from Aaron Phypers. The Wild Things star, 54, carried a large black Louis Vuitton tote and wore blue denim overalls over a purple T-shirt, a light pink zip-up hoodie loosely wrapped around her arms, and a burgundy trucker hat. Her estranged husband, 53, was photographed nearby walking in Beverly Hills with his lawyer, dressed in a dark plaid button-up, a leather jacket and dark jeans, with sunglasses shielding his eyes.
Legal filings in the high-profile split show Phypers contending that Richards sought to cut off his finances by pursuing a domestic violence restraining order. He told the court that he currently has no income and that Richards remains the breadwinner, while she allegedly harassed him over money. In documents reviewed by People, Phypers said Richards' repeated calls prove she is not intimidated and argued that the domestic violence case is a "ruse" to limit his spousal-support rights. He also claimed Richards placed an AirTag on his vehicle to monitor his movements and described alleged abuse and harassment across their six-year marriage.
Richards filed for spousal support and asked the court to order Phypers to pay spousal support and to block any efforts to collect it from her, while Phypers argued that he has little income and that she should continue to support him as the breadwinner. The filings show a tug-of-war over money as the couple has publicly traded accusations since filing for divorce in July. Richards' team contends that Phypers has harassed Richards by sharing private information from her devices after she was served with a temporary restraining order, and that he has continued to pursue access to shared assets.
Richards first appeared in court for the divorce on Sept. 8, when a judge authorized her to enter the Los Angeles County home they share to retrieve belongings. Court documents show the restraining order approved Richards to access the home while Phypers was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away. The protective order was initially issued in July, with a decision on Richards' request for a longer-term DVRO postponed to October, according to documents reviewed by Daily Mail.
Phypers' court filings detail allegations including that Richards physically attacked him and destroyed his phone, while Richards has said he engaged in behavior she described as harassment throughout their six-year marriage. In response, a lawyer for Richards denied the most serious claims, noting that Phypers has continued to harass Richards since he was served with the temporary restraining order by disseminating private information from her cellphone and laptop, which he allegedly took.
Outside the courtroom, the couple have publicly traded allegations about one another. Richards has described a pattern of abuse during their time together, while Phypers has denied the charges and said Richards' claims are meant to undermine him in court. In a note to family and friends later reported by Page Six, Phypers described medications and substance-use concerns, urging intervention for Denise. A lawyer for Richards said Phypers has continued to harass Richards through the case, including public disclosures of private information.
Richards is a mother to three daughters—Sami, 21, and Lola, 20, with ex-husband Charlie Sheen, and Eloise, 14, who she adopted before she married Phypers. The couple wed in 2018 and have faced a contentious split since Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, saying they had separated three days earlier. Richards has sought protection for herself and her family as the case proceeds.
Requests for comment to Richards' representatives were not immediately returned, and there is no indication of a resolution date for the divorce case. The ongoing dispute continues to unfold in court filings and public appearances as both sides press their respective positions on finances, custody and personal conduct.