Kelly Clarkson was finally able to celebrate a win during her messy divorce from Brandon Blackstock. Brandon, who has two children with Kelly, had made the news earlier for his list of hefty demands from the split.
But despite Brandon's protests, the judge gave Kelly sole ownership of the ranch home the two previously shared, worth a whopping $10.4 million. This must have been quite a blow to Brandon, as an unverified Instagram account under his name has a highlights reel titled "Ranch Life."
Brandon is currently living on the ranch, which is located in Montana. But soon he'll have to vacate and find other arrangements. Initially, he tried to argue that the ranch was "marital property," but the judge ruled that it was Kelly who bought it.
According to People, Brandon has also tried to contest their prenup, making it look as if he's trying to squeeze every penny he can out of his superstar ex. Kelly, on the other hand, has been juggling multiple projects in order to stay as financially secure as she can. While Brandon works as a music manager and amateur pilot, Kelly has her music career, a hosting gig on The Voice, and her own daily talk show.
During virtual hearings, it was decided that all of their properties that were "acquired during the marriage … are subject to the terms of the Premarital Agreement." That news was likely hard for Brandon to hear. Based on his actions, it seems like he's not afraid to tarnish the relationship he has with the mother of two of his children due to financial requests.
"The Court further finds that the Montana Ranch and the other two Montana properties are not titled in both of the Parties' names either as joint tenants with right of survivorship or as tenants by the entireties, as required under the PMA to create marital property," the document says. "The Court therefore rejects Respondent's [Blackstock's] position that the Montana Ranch and other Montana properties are marital property owned 50/50 by the Parties."
Right now, Kelly has agreed to pay Brandon $200,000 a month in spousal and child support.
But according to sources, he asked for more than double that that — even though he doesn't have sole custody of the children. The two were finally declared legally single in June, since Kelly was more than ready to move on and put this chapter behind her. As she said to the judge, they "both deserve the opportunity to build a new life."
Kelly holds primary custody of River Rose, 7, and Remington Alexander, 5. While the couple were together for seven years, it seems like the hefty financial obligation will be a dark cloud the singer will have to see past for the next several years. But perhaps it's the price to pay to be in a healthier mental space.
The ranch has meant a lot to the singer since it was purchased. "Brandon and I love wide open spaces and coming to the ranch because both of us grew up in the country," Kelly once revealed in a video about her home. "We literally work seven days a week, if not seven days a week. So, when we have time off, we really like to check out."
According to People, Kelly has been thriving since leaving her marriage. "Kelly is more than fine. She is doing great and facing forward," a source told them. "She's enjoying the fact that she has the kids for the vast majority of the time and is enjoying time spent with them."
A second insider claimed that Kelly has been keeping things in perfect balance. "When she doesn't work, she is all about being a mom," they said. "She loves being with her kids. Occasionally, she even takes her kids to work. It's obvious that she wants to spend as much time with them as possible."
But there's a possibility that Kelly won't keep bringing her kids to the ranch. According to TMZ, Kelly plans to sell it — and it may be to have a completely fresh start. Surely there are other good properties she could use for an outdoor escape.
Kelly might also be looking to get rid of the ranch since, based on things she's said about it, she may have had plans to retire with Brandon there one day. "It's a really beautiful ranch and it's a nice getaway for our family," she said during her taped tour. "This is something Brandon and I have dreamed about since we were both kids. This is what we would call home."
While these new memories of divorce may taint the good memories that the couple had during their time together, it seems Kelly has only gotten stronger since making the big decision to call it quits. But hopefully, she takes her own advice. Based on the lyrics to her song "Stronger," it's apparent that Kelly doesn't need anyone by her side to be successful.
