Ben Harper Blindsides Laura Dern with Divorce

Ben Harper stunned Laura Dern by filing for divorce late Friday afternoon … TMZ has learned.

Harper, a two-time Grammy winner, filed legal docs citing irreconcilable differences and is asking the judge to deny Dern spousal support.

And here’s what’s interesting … according to the papers, Harper claims he and Dern separated back in January. But people connected with the couple, who married back in 2005, tell TMZ they have been living and traveling together throughout the year and were even intimate as recently as last week.

Harper is asking for joint legal and physical of the couple’s two kids: Ellery, 9, and Jaya, 5.

Source: TMZ

Heidi Montag Files for Legal Separation

TMZ has learned Heidi Montag just showed up at the Santa Monica courthouse and officially filed for legal separation from Spencer Pratt. She lists irreconcilable differences as the reason for separation.

Heidi did not file divorce papers. The legal significance of legal separation is that her earnings will become her separate property from the date of separation. Heidi lists the date of separation as today, June 8.

Interesting … under the section, “community assets and debts,” Heidi wrote, “No such assets or debts.”  It’s unclear if Heidi and Spencer have a prenup which keeps their assets separate, or if they’re broke.

Heidi tried filing in Malibu — of course — but the Malibu courts don’t do divorces.

Heidi filed the legal docs in her own handwriting.  There’s no evidence she has a lawyer.

Source: TMZ

Cheryl Cole is reportedly seeking a gagging order to stop cheating husband Ashley Cole ever speaking about their relationship.

The ‘Fight For This Love’ singer is said to be seeking a quick divorce from soccer star Ashley – who has been exposed as a serial love cheat – and among her list of demands is an order banning him from making any contact with her, including by phone or text message, for six months after their split is finalised.

Other demands in a letter from Cheryl’s lawyer include Ashley agreeing immediately to a divorce, a lifetime gagging order which bans him from ever talking about their relationship in the future, and agreeing to let Cheryl keep their £6 million mansion by buying out his half of it.

The singer does not, however, want any of Ashley’s estimated £10 million fortune. A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “Cheryl does not want a single thing from Ashley except his signature on the divorce agreement. She just wants him to leave her alone, accept it is over and for them both to move on.”

The letter sent by Cheryl is a ‘Heads of Agreement’, the first stage of a process to reach an out-of-court settlement on the end to their marriage. As a show of goodwill toward Ashley, 29, Cheryl, 26, is reportedly not citing ‘adultery’ as the reason for the divorce, instead opting for ‘irreconcilable differences’.

If Ashley agrees to the demands, it is thought their split could be made official by the end of the summer. Divorce lawyer Mark Stephens said: “Despite the large sums of money involved in a high-profile divorce like this, it will be relatively straightforward if he agrees to the demands. There are no children involved, so this could all be done and dusted very quickly.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Godfather’ star is citing “irreconcilable differences” for the split from spouse Linda Stokes after filing the papers in Los Angeles’ County Superior Court.

He said in a statement: “We have two beautiful kids together and will remain great friends. Everything will be fine.”

It is not the first time James – who is seeking joint custody of the couple’s two children – has filed for divorce from Linda.

In 2005, he was seeking a legal permanent split but called off proceedings just a month later.

The 69-year-old ‘Las Vegas’ star is no stranger to divorce, having been married four times.

He was previously wed to Dee Jay Mathis – mother of his daughter Tara A. Caan – Sheila Ryan, who he had a son with, and Ingrid Hajek, who he also had a son with.

James and Linda married in October 1995 and have two sons, James, 14, and 11-year-old Jacob.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The former ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star split from actress Heather McComb earlier this year and has now started legal proceedings to officially end their six-year marriage.

The papers were filed at a Los Angeles court and James cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their break-up.

The pair tied the knot in Malibu in 2003, six months after the sixth and final season of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ aired.

James’ co-stars Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips attended the intimate ceremony.

Friends suspected a divorce was brewing when the couple sold their $2.5 million home in Studio City, California, in March.

They put the mansion – which features 180-degree canyon, mountain and city views, and a luxurious mist cooling system – on the market.

Since they tied the knot, James – who played Dawson Leery in the US teen drama – has guest starred in ‘How I Met Your Mother’, ‘One Tree Hill’, ‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘Medium’.

Heather has appeared in ‘Prison Break’, ‘Crossing Jordan’ and ‘CSI: New York’.

Source: BANG Showbiz

16-year-old Hopper – the Oscar-winning actor’s son with estranged wife – was allegedly taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department after offices visited his high school in Malibu.

Because he is a minor, authorities have not released details as to why he was arrested or if any charges have been made.

The news of Hopper’s reported arrest comes weeks after Hopper’s mother Robin filed for divorce from Sean, citing “irreconcilable differences”.

In April, Sean filed for separation from Robin but a month later asked California’s Marin County Superior Court to dismiss the case claiming it was an “arrogant mistake”.

It was not the first time the couple had announced they were divorcing only to change their minds.

Sean, 49, first filed for divorce in December 2007, but his petition was dismissed. Three days later Robin filed her own paperwork.

However, in April 2008, they made a request to have their divorce petition dismissed as they wanted to give their relationship another chance.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Lost Boys’ actor insists he doesn’t want to split from his wife of seven years, Susannah, after she filed papers last week.

His representative said: “Corey is deeply hurt and saddened by this unexpected change in their relationship, and has done nothing to contribute to the demise of the marriage.

“He is hopeful that he and Susie can work to resolve this quickly and amicably, and he is fully committed to doing what is best for the welfare of their son.”

Susannah cited “irreconcilable differences” in the papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on October 22.

She has requested legal and physical custody of their five-year-old son Zen, with Corey paying spousal and child support, while having visitation rights.

Corey and Susannah married in 2002 – nine months after meeting in a nightclub – on the final episode of reality show ‘The Surreal Life’.

In 2007, Corey revealed how Susannah and his son had helped him overcome his depression and drug abuse problem.

He said: “Six years together and we’re still in love. Whereas I used to get depressed or neurotic or dwell on things, I see my son’s bright eyes and smile in the morning, and suddenly, I don’t feel like I’m depressed anymore. There’s nothing to be depressed about when you’ve got that.”

Source: BANG Showbiz