Lisa Marie Ex Wins Victory In Divorce Battle After Judge Supports His Post-Nup Appeal
Feb. 25 2019, Updated 11:40 a.m. ET
Lisa Marie Presley's ex, Michael Lockwood, won a battle in court and could be closer to taking steps to appeal a judge's decision on the validity of their post-nuptial agreement, RadarOnline.com learned exclusively.
During a hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman said she agreed with Lockwood's request and said "now is the appropriate time" to test her own recent ruling that the former couple's post-nuptial agreement is "valid and enforceable in whole."
Lockwood's attorney, Jeff Sturman, is asking for a "statement of decision," where Gould-Saltman would outline the reasons why she decided the former couple's post-nup is valid. Sturman said he needs a statement of decision in order to file an appeal at a higher court.
Under the November 2017 post-nup, both Presley and Lockwood agreed neither would receive spousal support or property from each other in the event their marriage should dissolve. In court documents, Sturman said Presley is not paying Lockwood any spousal support despite their years of marriage together.
Sturman added Presley has a monthly income of about $183,000 per month, while his client only makes about $2,500 per month.
Elvis' famous daughter was not at Tuesday's hearing, but her attorney, Gary Fishbein, argued it would be unfair for his client to have to shoulder the burden of more attorney's fees should Lockwood continue to challenge the validity of the post-nuptual agreement. He argued Lockwood should instead appeal the decision after the entire divorce judgement has been finalized.
After Sturman said he would hold off on asking for additional attorney's fees, Gould-Saltman said she would consider Sturman's request as well as Fishbein's opposition.
"I think now is an appropriate time to test the ruling," Gould-Saltman said. "The court will certify the ruling for appeal. Having now found the request for decision … I will take a look at that and I will also take a look at the objections to it. … Having not seen (Sturman's) request and (Fishbein's) objections, I kind of wrote (the decision) with the idea in mind that it would be a statement of decision that would address all of the controverted issues. I guess when I see the request, I will see what Mr.Sturman felt was missing."
In her Aug. 17, 2018 ruling that the post-nuptial agreement is valid, Gould-Saltman wrote Lockwood "was represented by a competent family law counsel through the process. He (Lockwood) cannot complain of not having enough information when, as he testified, he refused to look at the information he had been provided."
After Tuesday's hearing, Sturman told RadarOnline.com exclusively that he thought the judge's decision was "the right move." Sturman added he would have to wait for that statement of decision before moving forward with an appeal. Until then, a final ruling on the divorce remains on hold.
Presley filed for divorce from Lockwood on June 24, 2016 after 10 years of marriage. The former couple have two daughters, twins Harper and Finley.
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