Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne is being forced to confront the long-stalled divorce from her disgraced husband, Tom Girardi, as a California court sets a deadline for action.
Girardi, the once-powerful attorney now convicted of embezzling millions, is serving a 7-year prison sentence and reportedly suffering from dementia. The couple’s divorce has been stuck in legal limbo since Erika filed in 2020, with some legal experts even suggesting the two might remain married “until death do them part.”
But now, the Superior Court of California has issued a warning. According to attorney Ronald Richards, who reviewed newly surfaced court documents, the judge has made it clear: “Either get divorced or dismiss your case.” A hearing has been set for August 1, 2025, labeled as an “Order to Show Cause re: Failure to File Dismissal/Judgment” — meaning the court is demanding movement on the case.
Erika’s attorney, Jim Wilkes, previously explained the delay, noting that Tom’s health has made it impossible for him to participate in divorce proceedings. “There’s nothing left to fight over,” Wilkes said, adding, “Erika was left with nothing in her name… what [Tom] had, they found and liquidated.”
However, Richards suggested the pause might be more strategic, possibly designed to portray Erika’s outrage as performative while distancing herself from Girardi’s crimes. Critics have long speculated whether Erika was aware of the fraudulent activity happening during their marriage, despite her public denials.
With her Bravo comeback underway and legal clouds still looming, Erika now faces a critical deadline. On August 1, she’ll have to decide whether to finalize her divorce—or allow the court to dismiss it altogether.
One way or another, this chapter is coming to a head.
