Shannon's Divorce Explodes: David Storms Out Of Court After Judge Shuts Down Demands
Feb. 8 2019, Updated 12:49 p.m. ET
The court battle between feuding The Real Housewives of Orange County exes Shannon and David Beador exploded, with the father of three storming out of an Orange County courtroom on Thursday, February 7, RadarOnline.com can exclusively report.
According to RadarOnline.com's eyewitness, hot-headed David, 54, became angry after he failed to convince a judge to lessen his monthly child and spousal support payments to Shannon.
Adding fuel to the fire, the judge also told David he cannot order Shannon, 54, to stop drinking alcohol when she is with their three teenage daughters — but he did provide a stern warning to the reality mom, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, David filed a request for an order with the court demanding Shannon not consume alcohol "eight hours before or during period of time" with their three daughters: Sophie, 17, and 14-year old twins Adeline and Stella.
Shannon slammed his demand, claiming her "deeply angry" ex only wants to "hurt and embarrass" her in public.
During Thursday's hearing, Judge James L. Waltz said he could not order Shannon to stop drinking because that would be illegal.
"I'm not going to make that order," Waltz said. "I will make an order that neither you nor Shannon shall be impaired during your parenting time, but as for consumption of alcohol, you are free. We live in America and you are free to consume alcohol wherever you want. You can even get in a car after consuming alcohol. You can even consume alcohol with your kids in the car, although that makes my heart go wild. You may not drive while impaired. You may not parent while impaired. ... She may not drink to the point of impairment at the presence of the children."
The judge also said he did not "want to try this case twice," and ordered both parties to come back in two months to discuss David's request to lessen his child support and spousal support payments.
An agitated David told the court he believed he was paying too much in monthly support, especially since Shannon allegedly makes almost twice as much as he did in the past year.
David also argued he now has 50 percent custody of his daughters, while the temporary support order approved by the judge last year noted Shannon had 85 percent custody of the girls.
David argued Shannon made about $900,000 in the past year, and even praised his ex, saying he was proud of her.
He said he has tried to settle the case and approached Shannon's attorney, Ben Phillips, more than 20 times to come to an agreement.
"It is destroying our children," David said to the court. "It's unbelievably sad that this is about money. Mrs. Beador, God bless her, she's doing amazingly well. I'm so proud of her. She's doing fantastic. She's making a ton of money. It's unbelievable but it's my opinion that because she is getting $22,500 a month there is no reason to settle the case. There's just never a reason."
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Phillips said he did not understand the income and expenses declaration that David has provided to the court, and noted that the financial statements are unclear.
Forensic accountant Drew Hunt said the financial statements concerning David's construction business are very complicated, and oftentimes income fluctuated. The court-appointed accountant said he believed David could be paying slightly more in monthly support than what he should, but Hunt said would need more time and documentation from both parties before he could present his final opinion.
Judge Waltz said he would consider all information and evidence during trial in two months, and could possibly change the $30,000 child and spousal support that David currently pays.
David said he plans to reveal the truth during the trial, which is expected to last four to five days.
"The support is unjust and unreasonable," David said. "Had I been able to present today, I would show the half-truths that have gone on in this trial. I'm clearly not going to have that option... I can tell you it is 100 percent and it will be shown, in spite of Mr. Phillips' suggestion otherwise, that it was unjust and unreasonable."
Shannon, who remained mostly silent during the nearly hour-long hearing, chimed in at one point and said, "That's a good thing," when the judge announced he did not watch the Real Housewives of Orange County.
The reality TV star, who showed off her recent weight loss by wearing tight black pants and a slim black jacket, walked out of the courtroom with a smile on her face.
Shannon has a lot to smile about these days. As RadarOnline.com reported exclusively on February 6, the star is newly dating hot Comcast executive Rick Stanley, 55.
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