'RHOC' Newbie Noella Bergener Demands Estranged Husband James Cough Up Spousal Support In Divorce Battle
Nov. 11 2021, Published 5:27 p.m. ET
Real Housewives of Orange County star Noella Bergener has given up on working on her marriage with her estranged husband James and is ready for a divorce.
According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, the Bravo newbie appeared in court on October 28 to amend her separation paperwork.
As we first reported, Noella filed for a legal separation from her personal injury attorney husband on August 2. She listed their date of marriage as June 28, 2020.
The date of separation was listed as “TBD.” In the petition, Noella is asking the court to award her primary legal and physical custody of their 2-year-old son James Jr.
In the docs, she said James should only have visitation with their kid. She cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the breakup. Her husband reportedly filed a separate divorce case in Puerto Rico.
In newly filed documents, Noella amended her petition to now seek a full divorce, instead of a legal separation. James has yet to appear in O.C. Court nor has he responded to the petition.
The split came after RadarOnline.com broke the story of James’ severe tax issues. Earlier this year, the IRS and the State of California both filed massive liens against the attorney.
The IRS accuses Noella’s husband of refusing to pay $1,878,438 for 2018 and $2,166,680 for 2019. The State of California says he owes $1,851,225.04 for 2018 and 2019. The grand total of his debt exceeds $5.8 million.
Noella is facing her own legal issues at the moment. Last week, she was sued by a debt collector over an alleged unpaid legal bill stemming from her 2014 legal battle with her ex-husband. The suit claims she owes $300k and refuses to pay up.
A source close to Noella told RadarOnline.com the claims were "unfounded" and she was under the impression her ex-husband was responsible for the bill via their court settlement.
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Noella was added to the cast of RHOC as part of the producers' attempt to revive the failing franchise. They also added Dr. Jen Armstrong and another woman named Nicole James.
Nicole was set to be one of the main cast members but sources say she was demoted after getting into it with returning cast member Heather Dubrow.
Noella, Jen & Heather will be joined by Shannon Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson.
