Right off the bat, I liked the new girl on Real Housewives of Orange County. But let me warn you, I don’t have a good record for picking out a fan favorite. But Katie Ginella is surprising to me. The newest OC housewife is bold and doesn’t fear taking on Heather Dubrow over paparazzi photos. Katie is bonding with mostly all the women, except for Fancy Pants and Gina Kirschenheiter, who brought her onto the franchise. Katie has been an open book about her family. And already has stated this is her second marriage. But now fans are learning not everything was peaches and cream.
Katie Ginella’s divorce was far from amicable
In Touch reported that Katie and her ex-husband, Andrew Sundseth, were in a heated battle over child support and custody. The court documents showed that the newest Real Housewives of Orange County star settled their divorce back in 2016, but it was a fight to get there. The former couple shared three children: Max, Gavin, and Kaili. The court documents noted that Andrew would have primary legal and physical custody of the children and the final say when it came to major decisions. At the time, Katie was given visitation to see all three children. Just like many other divorces, both couples agreed not to make any derogatory remarks about the other in front of their children.
Katie Ginella’s finances with her ex weren’t as clear-cut
According to the agreement, Andrew’s gross monthly income was $6,995 at the time, while Katie’s was only $3,750. Katie was still ordered to pay Andrew $1,220 in child support and keep up with the $500,000 life insurance policy. Andrew and Katie also waved the right for spousal support. Both Andrew and Katie were allowed to keep their respective personal effects, such as jewelry and clothing. Andrew was given a 2006 Scion XB and a 2003 Acura MDX.
The former golf reporter agreed to pay off her student loans and a Verizon bill while Andrew was given a home in Marietta, Georgia. As if that weren’t enough, Katie also paid her ex-husband 5K to cover his legal bills. For the most part, it seemed like the two had settled their issues and moved on with their lives.
Katie Ginella fights back
However, in 2018, the OC star filed a petition to modify custody, which included parenting time and their current child support agreement. Katie alleged that Andrew had been subjecting the three children to emotional abuse sharing, “including telling the male children that they are bastards” and “idiots.” The paperwork showed that Katie also claimed that Andrew had called their then 14-year-old daughter a “bitch, disgrace” and “an embarrassment.” Katie also took issue with Andrew’s after-school schedule.
In the petition, Katie noted that her two sons stayed “home alone for two hours 2-3 days per week after school.” At this time, Katie asked for primary physical and legal custody of their children and asked that her requirement to pay child support be terminated. Naturally, her ex-husband quickly filed a countersuit against Katie, but those documents were sealed. But the outlet did obtain Katie’s answer to the countersuit, and it seems that Andrew had accused his ex-wife of failing to pay child support.
The RHOC verdict
Fast-forward to March 2019, when Andrew and Katie entered a consent order over custody and support. Both decided to terminate child support. And the Real Housewives of Orange County star was named primary custodian of her daughter. Andrew was declared the custodial parent of the boys. But in June, Katie returned to court to ask that the judge find Andrew in contempt. Andrew was accused of refusing to sign school documents. The papers were to allow their daughter to enroll in her new school in Flordia. Katie and Andrew balked at moving the case forward and the case was dismissed in March 2023.
Katie seems to have recovered from her troubled divorce as she is now happily married to Matt Ginella.
