“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Dorit Kemsley and her estranged husband, Paul “PK” Kemsley, secured a partial financial settlement during a contentious court appearance in Los Angeles, though deep disputes over child custody continue to delay a final divorce decree.
The agreement concluded a day of closed-door negotiations between legal teams at Los Angeles County Superior Court, Page Six reported. While attorneys resolved several central financial disputes, the exact terms and division of assets were not made public.
Judge urges focus on children
Tensions remained evident throughout the courthouse proceedings. PK Kemsley, 59, arrived first and was overheard telling his counsel he felt nervous, according to Page Six. Dorit Kemsley, 50, was escorted inside shortly after by her legal team, with an eyewitness telling Page Six that both parties appeared visibly stressed.
After conferring privately in chambers for roughly an hour with attorneys from both sides, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George Bird returned to the bench and offered a candid appraisal of the stalled proceedings.
“I feel like every time we call this case, we’re getting further and further away,” Bird stated in court, Page Six reported. The judge directed both parents to prioritize the needs of their two minor children, 12-year-old son Jagger and 10-year-old daughter Phoenix. Bird then instructed the pair to meet with a separate judge in another department to negotiate their parental differences.
While walking between departments, Dorit Kemsley asked her legal team to step away for a cigarette break, though her attorneys insisted they check in with the second courtroom first, according to Page Six.
Witness lists target household dynamics
The unresolved custody dispute has prompted PK Kemsley to line up witnesses who have firsthand knowledge of the family’s home life, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ and reported by AOL.
In court filings, PK Kemsley stated plans to testify and call Dorit Kemsley to the stand. He also intends to call the children’s longtime nanny to testify about her personal observations of how Dorit Kemsley interacts with their son and daughter. Additionally, the filing lists Dorit Kemsley’s personal assistant as a witness to answer questions regarding her observations of the children and Dorit Kemsley’s parenting, AOL and Yahoo reported.
The filings follow sharp financial accusations traded by the estranged spouses. PK Kemsley has alleged that Dorit Kemsley engaged in reckless spending on luxury travel and apparel while failing to address essential obligations, such as their mortgage, according to TMZ. Dorit Kemsley countered that her estranged husband had historically covered the household bills before abruptly halting payments, an accusation PK Kemsley has denied.
Next steps in the divorce
The couple married in New York City on March 7, 2015, and announced their separation on May 9, 2024. Dorit Kemsley officially filed for divorce roughly eleven months later, in April 2025.
With custody remaining the primary hurdle to completing the divorce, the court has scheduled formal steps to break the impasse. Both parties are due back in court on Nov. 24 to resume settlement discussions, Page Six reported. The court also ordered the estranged couple to attend a mandatory virtual mediation session on Dec. 2 to work toward a comprehensive custody agreement.
