Judge Steve Cochran of the Los Angeles Superior Court decided on Wednesday that Kim Kardashian is legally separated from Kanye West.
As a result of the decision, the reality star will no longer be referred to as “Kim Kardashian West” and will instead go by her famed Kardashian surname.
Despite the challenging subject matter, Kardashian, 41, came at the court via video conference from what appeared to be a closet and seemed “glad.”
The judge questioned Kardashian on oath many times during the hearing.
“Yes,” the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” alum said when asked if she wanted to change her name again.
Kardashian also said “Yes” when the judge inquired if the marriage had broken down.
“Kim grinned as the judge read the questions and told her she had regained her single status,” a source said.
Samantha Spector, West’s new attorney, said her billionaire client had “no issues” with Kardashian having her name back, but was more worried with his “assets and interest,” which he hired at the last minute after firing his prior lawyer less than 24 hours before the court.
West’s “All of the Lights” rapper, 44, wanted to “make sure his trust was protected,” according to Spector.
Kardashian’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, argued that the reality TV mogul’s trust should not be frozen because she utilizes it for her business. In this case, the judge ruled with Kardashian’s team.
West’s biggest concerns, according to Spector, are around protecting his retirement plan, and he still wants Kardashian to relinquish her “marriage privilege.”
If Kardashian were to remarry, West would have been able to bring her new husband to testify about his conversations with the reality star if there were any complications in the future.
The court asked when both parties would prefer to return to discuss other issues later in the session.
Spector asked for 120 days because “there are a lot of custody concerns that need to be worked out,” she said.
Wasser replied, “I don’t believe so, your Honor.” “In the last year, there haven’t been any problems.”
The judge agreed to give Spector the 120 days he wanted. On Aug. 5, all sides will return for a status conference hearing.
In court documents filed in February, Kardashian’s counsel stated, “Clearly Mr. West’s purpose here is to block or make it difficult for Ms. Kardashian to remarry.” West’s plea was denied by the judge, who agreed with the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” alum.
However, lawyers from both sides were able to reach an agreement to alter the retirement agreement’s wording.
Kardashian applied to become legally single for the first time in December 2021, after divorcing West in February 2021 after nearly seven years of marriage.
North, 8, Saint, 6, Chicago, 4, and Psalm, 2, are the couple’s four children.