Actor Denise Richards will not be required to cover the legal fees for her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, following accusations of abuse. The decision comes after a contentious separation and ongoing legal proceedings initiated in 2025.
Richards, 54, filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Phypers, 49, on July 7, 2025, alleging instances of abuse that occurred between July 4 and July 14. The restraining order was granted the same day, according to court documents. Phypers has denied the allegations.
In her request for the restraining order, Richards detailed an incident on July 4, 2025, where she informed Phypers that his family needed to move out of their former shared home, which she had vacated in 2023. The request stated that Phypers reacted with “enraged” behavior, including screaming profanities and forcefully grabbing her arm. Further incidents were reported, including an alleged physical altercation in the garage where she was pushed and dragged down stairs. Steven Phypers, Aaron’s father, was also reportedly involved, allegedly threatening to share damaging information with the media.
Richards asserted in her request that she had “repeatedly” experienced abuse during the marriage and that Phypers had made threats against her life, as well as his own and the police. She also stated that Phypers possesses at least eight unregistered firearms. This case underscores the increasing intersection of personal safety and security concerns, particularly as technology plays a larger role in documenting and reporting abuse.
Phypers reportedly claimed to have only $200 in his bank account. While Richards’ legal team argued that victims should not be responsible for their abusers’ legal costs, the defense pointed to the ongoing nature of the case and Phypers’ denial of the accusations. The couple married in September 2018 and do not share any children. A previous report detailed a 2020 incident where Phypers threatened to “crush” Richards’ hand, as seen on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”.
The legal battle between Richards and Phypers continues, with the case highlighting the complexities of domestic violence allegations and the financial implications for all parties involved. News of the restraining order and subsequent legal proceedings initially surfaced on July 17, 2025, as reported by NBC News, and was further discussed on platforms like Reddit. The case also brought to light a prior incident captured on camera during the reality television show, as detailed in People Magazine.
