Actress Denise Richards was spotted with a beaming smile outside a Los Angeles courthouse on Thursday, presenting a stark contrast to her estranged husband Aaron Phypers during their ongoing and highly publicized divorce proceedings. The 55-year-old star of Wild Things made a dramatic entrance at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, clad in an all-black ensemble that included a skintight, long-sleeved top paired with a leather midi skirt and matching peep-toe pumps.
Courtroom Fashion and Legal Entourage
Richards accessorized her look with oversized cat-eye sunglasses and a studded leather clutch, projecting an air of confidence as she arrived for the hearing. She was accompanied by her legal attorney and a muscular bodyguard, underscoring the serious nature of the case. Despite the tense circumstances surrounding the divorce, Richards appeared to be in remarkably high spirits, striding into the building with her team ahead of the scheduled court session.
Phypers' Solemn Arrival and Legal Demands
In sharp contrast, Aaron Phypers arrived at the courthouse shortly after Richards, wearing a seemingly solemn expression. His outfit consisted of a light blue dress shirt with the top two buttons undone, layered with a zip-up jacket and a tweed coat, completed by dark jeans and chunky patent leather oxfords. Phypers is currently embroiled in a legal battle, having recently filed paperwork requesting spousal support from Richards due to alleged financial strain and his pending criminal case.
He faces serious charges, including two felony counts of injuring a spouse and two additional felony counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat, with bail set at $200,000. Phypers has pleaded not guilty to these domestic violence allegations, which Richards has cited in her filing for a restraining order against him.
Background of the Marriage and Divorce
The couple was married for nearly seven years before Phypers filed for divorce in July 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. They do not share any biological children together, though Phypers had intended to legally adopt Richards' youngest daughter, Eloise Joni Richards, in 2019. Court documents reveal a dispute over this adoption, with Phypers claiming Richards failed to file the necessary paperwork, while Richards asserts he signed the documents.
Richards is also the mother of two older daughters, Sami Sheen, 21, and Lola Sheen, 20, from her previous marriage to actor Charlie Sheen. That marriage lasted from 2002 to 2005, with legal separation finalized the following year.
Financial and Legal Disputes Escalate
The divorce has grown increasingly messy, with financial conflicts at the forefront. Phypers argues he is entitled to temporary spousal support to maintain financial fairness during litigation, claiming his business operations were disrupted in late 2024, leaving him without stable income. He has also asserted a right to half of Richards' earnings from OnlyFans, though she has accused him of domestic abuse, allegations he denies.
In a related incident, Phypers and his parents were evicted from the mansion he once shared with Richards in December, following allegations of over $84,000 in unpaid rent. His parents launched a GoFundMe campaign to support him, which has since been deleted.
As the legal battle continues, Richards maintains her confident demeanor, while Phypers presses his case for support amid the criminal charges. The outcome of this high-profile divorce remains uncertain, with both parties entrenched in their positions.
