Reality Star Details Legal Battle Over Retirement Funds
Brandi Glanville has revealed the significant financial and legal hurdles she encountered when attempting to reclaim her retirement savings from ex-husband Eddie Cibrian following their divorce. The reality television personality stated that the process became so contentious that she was compelled to pursue legal action.
Podcast Confession: A Costly Fight for Her 401K
During a recent episode of her podcast, “Brandi Glanville Unfiltered,” Glanville, 53, shared that she “had to hire a lawyer to get my own 401K back” from the actor. According to Glanville, Cibrian “was trying to keep it” during the dissolution of their marriage, which concluded in 2010.
The former star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” explained that the endeavor cost her over $10,000 and extended for a full year. Glanville indicated that Cibrian, 52, made it clear he was unwilling to relinquish the 401K without a formal legal process.
“He’s like, get a lawyer – and so I did,” Glanville recounted to co-host James Maas on the podcast. She elaborated on the necessity of obtaining a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), a legal document essential for dividing retirement assets like 401Ks and pensions between former spouses.
Ongoing Legal Disputes and Financial Advice
Glanville also alluded to a current situation that she anticipates will require legal intervention. “I’m going to have to get a lawyer to fight, which is so ridiculous – I don’t want that for anyone,” she expressed, emphasizing her frustration with the recurring need for legal battles.
Drawing from her experiences, Glanville offered advice to fellow cast members on Bravo shows, urging them to prioritize financial organization. “That goes back to Housewives, they’re all getting divorced and half of them don’t even have a 401K,” Glanville remarked, referring to her two sons with Cibrian, Mason, 23, and Jake, 19. She concluded with a direct appeal: “Get your s*** together ladies – know where the money is.”
Background of the Divorce and Infidelity Allegations
Cibrian and Glanville’s marriage, which lasted eight years, ended after his affair with singer-actress LeAnn Rimes, which reportedly began during the filming of the 2009 movie “Northern Lights.” Cibrian and Rimes married in April 2011.
In a 2021 opinion piece, Glanville detailed how she discovered her ex-husband’s infidelity. She stated that she learned of the affair through media reports, including video evidence of Cibrian and Rimes kissing. Glanville described the revelation as “devastating” and recounted her immediate emotional distress.
Glanville also shared that she had prior suspicions of Cibrian’s infidelity with Rimes, noting that she had occasionally observed chemistry between him and co-stars while visiting him on set. She recalled him dismissing her concerns, attributing them to jealousy, which led her to question her own perceptions.
Reflecting on her past relationship with Cibrian, Glanville stated, “Eddie and I were together for 13 years and married for eight. We always promised each other that we would never get a divorce and that we’d love each other when we were old.”
