Have you heard about the Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright divorce drama? Yeah, us too! Their divorce has sparked questions about their prenuptial agreement. And although it is truly sad that their union has come to an end, we’re going to discuss the legalities surrounding their divorce, potential prenuptial agreement, and other legal matters, acknowledging that any specifics regarding their situation are speculative and based on general legal frameworks. Things like whether they even had an agreement, what laws apply in a California divorce, and more. Let’s dive in to learn about Jax and Brittany’s split.
Who is Jax Taylor?
In case you need a refresher on who Jax Taylor actually is, he is a model, actor, and reality television personality known for his appearances on Vanderpump Rules and The Valley. Once he secured his role on Vanderpump Rules, he wasted no time in establishing himself as the preeminent bad boy of SUR Restaurant & Lounge. Throughout the show’s lengthy run, his devious antics (which include getting in fights with cast members, cheating on his girlfriends, and stealing a particularly desirable pair of shades in Honolulu) have captured the hearts and stirred the souls of viewers around the globe. Today, he presides over the reality television landscape as a truly unique on-screen presence who Vanderpump Rules fans have come to love (or hate…depending on who you are). And although he has launched several business ventures (anyone remember the Jax Taylor Fitness app? No? Oh, well), he is best known for his reality TV stardom, including his new show The Valley. Plus, he met Brittany Cartwright (his now ex-wife) while filming Vanderpump Rules Season 3.
Who is Brittany Cartwright?
Like her ex-beau Jax, Brittany Cartwright is a model, actor, and reality television personality. When she first met Jax in 2014, she was waitressing at Hooters. That all changed just two weeks after their first meeting when Brittany moved to Los Angeles to live with Jax. Since then, Brittany has made a name for herself in her own right. She appeared in Vanderpump Rules beginning in Season 4 and became a series regular starting with Season 6. She is also one of the main cast members of The Valley, where cameras follow around her and Jax’s group of friends living in Los Angeles. She has also recently developed a shapewear line with weight loss company Jenny Craig and is a full-blown social media influencer with more than two million followers on Instagram.
Jax and Brittany’s relationship
If you’ve been following Jax and Brittany’s romance since day one, you know just how interestingly things began.
2015
After quickly moving to Los Angeles with Jax, Brittany began her reality television career, starting with a guest role on Vanderpump Rules as Jax’s girlfriend. This was surprising for many who had come to expect Jax’s bachelor lifestyle. Even more shocking was Jax’s apparent commitment to his girlfriend so early on in their relationship: Just a few months after they met, Jax “hard-launched” his new girlfriend, Brittany, on Instagram (a universally recognized sign of commitment that was as significant in 2015 as it is today). In fact, Jax later confessed to PEOPLE magazine that prior to meeting Brittany, he was “anti-marriage.”
2017
Jax and Brittany’s relationship suffered a serious blow when it was revealed that Jax had cheated on Brittany with one of his Vanderpump Rules co-stars. (If you’re a true VPR fan, you will remember the infamous scene where Brittany yells “rot in hell” at Jax upon finding out).
2018
In 2018, Brittany decided to forgive Jax for his mistake, stating that she was doing so in order to be a “good Christian woman” and uphold the Christian value of forgiveness. Later that year, Jax broke up with Brittany, stating that he wasn’t good enough for her and wasn’t capable of giving her what she wanted from the relationship. Yet even later that same year, Jax and Brittany announced their engagement.
2019
They were married and bought a house together in 2019. Despite all the chaos surrounding their relationship, their marriage seemed to represent a true happy ending for the couple, with both Jax and Taylor describing their relationship as “stronger and happier” than it had ever been.
Did Jax and Brittany have a prenup?
We don’t know for sure whether Jax and Brittany had a prenup. However, our research suggests that they didn’t. On a 2019 appearance on the Andy Cohen show Watch What Happens, they were grilled on this very subject, with Cohen directly asking Cartwright, “Are you getting a prenup?” Cartwright responded that they had discussed it but ultimately decided that they didn’t want to.
But why wouldn’t they get one, you ask? Well, they could have decided against getting a prenup for any number of reasons (most of which we don’t agree with, of course). Nonetheless, sometimes people decide against getting a prenup because they believe they are unable to afford one, that finding and hiring a lawyer is too lengthy and complicated, or that getting a prenup indicates a lack of trust in the relationship. We won’t speculate on why Jax and Brittany decided against it, but I’m sure you can take a guess.
At HelloPrenup, we have made getting a prenup easy and affordable. We also believe that most people should seriously consider getting a prenup, as prenups can protect anyone, which means the assets of both partners and a prenup can also create clarity and consistency for a future marriage.
Jax and Brittany’s divorce journey
In February 2024, Brittany Cartwright announced in an episode of her podcast, When Reality Hits, that she and Jax Taylor were separating and were no longer living together. Brittany mentioned that the separation was meant as a test of their relationship, including that either of them could “test the waters with other people if they wanted to,” as she reported on an E! News interview in June. However, this past August, Cartwright officially filed for divorce from Taylor, listing the date of separation as January 24, 2024. She requested custody of their son and asked the court to end spousal support for both her and Jax.
What happens in California without a prenup
Since Jax and Brittany did not have a prenup, let’s run through what happens in California (because that’s where they live) if two people get divorced without a prenup. California is a “community property state,” which means that any earnings and assets that either partner attains throughout the marriage are split equally between both partners in the event of a divorce without a prenup (with a few exceptions).
So, for example, if Jax and Brittany purchased a home after getting married without a prenuptial agreement, the property (or the property’s value) would generally be split 50/50 between both Jax and Brittany in their divorce — even if the home was entirely paid for by one of them or only in one name. On the other hand, if one of them purchased the home prior to marriage, it would generally be considered their “separate property” and is usually not divided between both partners in the event of a divorce. However, if one of the partners made contributions to the home, such as renovations, then they may be reimbursed for their efforts. (Cal. Fam. Code Section 2640).
The bottom line on Jax and Brittany’s prenuptial agreement
Although it seems like Jax and Brittany did not get a prenup before getting married, we believe everyone planning on marriage should discuss getting a prenup with their partner, and that getting a prenup for the right reasons can help facilitate a successful romantic and financial partnership. Getting a prenup doesn’t represent a lack of trust in your partner or a lack of faith in the relationship — it is simply a clarification of the financial implications of marriage for both you and your partner. At HelloPrenup, we have made getting a prenup easier than ever before. Using HelloPrenup to make a prenup makes the process affordable, easy, and convenient. Heck, you can do it all from your couch while Vanderpump Rules reruns play in the background! Cheers and happy planning!
Nicole Sheehey is the Head of Legal Content at HelloPrenup, and an Illinois licensed attorney. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to prenuptial agreements. Nicole has Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School. She has a deep understanding of the legal and financial implications of prenuptial agreements, and enjoys writing and collaborating with other attorneys on the nuances of the law. Nicole is passionate about helping couples locate the information they need when it comes to prenuptial agreements. You can reach Nicole here: Nicole@Helloprenup.com
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