The contentious divorce proceedings between actors Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans have concluded, with a judge ordering Gruffudd to increase his maintenance payments to Evans. The ruling comes after a series of hearings in Los Angeles, culminating in a decision that largely favors Evans on financial matters.
High court judge Michael J. Convey previously sided with Gruffudd in March, renewing a restraining order against Evans for five years. The judge stated that Evans had harassed and abused Gruffudd and his current wife, Bianca Wallace, causing them distress. However, the recent financial ruling requires Gruffudd to increase his payments to Evans.
Gruffudd had claimed he overpaid Evans by $400,000. Following a review of evidence from forensic accountants, the judge determined that Gruffudd had indeed overpaid, but only by $27,000.
Evans, who moved from Beverly Hills to Encino, had informed the court of financial hardship following their split in early 2021. The couple share two daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12, and the judge acknowledged that Evans has custody of them 100 percent of the time. Under the revised order, Gruffudd will pay 10 percent of his gross income to Evans, totaling $1,862 per month, in accordance with their pre-nuptial agreement. Previously, Gruffudd had agreed to pay $3,579 in child support and had sought to pay nothing in spousal support due to alleged emotional abuse.
Friends of Evans expressed relief that the legal proceedings are over, with one stating her dismay at the expense and acrimony, and her desire to move forward. The judge also ruled that $168,000 in a savings account belonged to Evans, but criticized her for not disclosing it promptly, which he noted impaired her credibility. The ownership of four accounts belonging to Gruffudd was also a point of contention, with his initial claims of them being community property later being retracted, a shift the judge did not find persuasive.
In his written judgment, Judge Convey noted that Gruffudd's argument against paying spousal support due to Evans's online harassment was unsuccessful because the behavior was classified as a misdemeanor rather than a crime. He stated that Evans committed "domestic violence" against Gruffudd and Wallace, describing the campaign as relentless and ongoing. While Evans has reportedly begun to take responsibility for her actions through apologies and mental health care, the judge indicated that a significant period of non-violent behavior would be necessary for the court to conclude she had fully taken responsibility. The judge also acknowledged that Evans's conduct had negatively impacted Gruffudd's and Wallace's emotional well-being for several years, potentially affecting Gruffudd's ability to maintain employment.
Addressing Evans's behavior, the judge highlighted her lack of sustained effort to cease the abusive conduct, suggesting she could start by staying off social media. He noted the public policy argument that Evans should not benefit from her actions, but stated the court must adhere to the Family Code and the pre-marital agreement. Alice's attorney indicated that her online harassment began in 2021 amid isolation and the breakdown of her marriage, and that her feelings were intensified upon discovering Gruffudd's relationship with Bianca Wallace. The attorney asserted that Evans is in a different place now, has moved on, and that her abusive communications have ceased. She also mentioned that Evans has deactivated her Twitter account and that recent social media posts, while discussing her experiences, are not intended to disturb Gruffudd's peace.
The restraining order, initially imposed in August 2022, has reportedly affected Evans's ability to work and travel, with her attorney stating she lost jobs due to it. The attorney also noted that traveling to the U.S. with their daughters often involves detentions at airports, which frightens the children. The renewal of the restraining order, which includes a clause requiring Evans to stay 100 feet away from Gruffudd, would force their daughters to choose which parent to attend school graduations and other family events.