When Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler announced their divorce, it looked like they might be gearing up to get ugly. There were rumors that Jay cheated with Kristin’s best friend. But the couple decided to play nice, at least in the press, and started posting positive messages and talking about co-parenting. Other than a few leaks about who they’re dating, we haven’t heard much, which is nice. Jay and Kristin have young kids so it’s always better to keep their mess private. But they’ve hit a wrinkle in their divorce proceedings. During their marriage, Kristin started the business Uncommon James, which includes jewelry, apparel, accessories, home items and now a beauty line. Now that they are parting ways, Jay, a retired football player, says he’s entitled to half of Uncommon James.
Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler’s divorce proceedings have stalled because the former NFL player wants a piece of her Uncommon James brand.
A source confirms to PEOPLE that Cutler, 38, is “fighting for half of the company,” which includes beauty, jewelry, home and childrenswear.
According to TMZ, which was first to report the news, Cutler believes he should get 50 percent ownership because the Uncommon James company was launched while he and Cavallari were married. Citing sources, the outlet reported that Cavallari is fighting to retain full ownership and says Cutler did not put any money into the company.
Cavallari, 34, and Cutler wed in 2013. She went on to launch Uncommon James in 2017.
There are several factors as to whether Jay is entitled to a cut of the business. Where the business and divorce are filed will dictate the laws of his claim, which his lawyer has already considered. So if he’s pursuing it, it would seem he at least has some case. Who paid for the business is huge and if any joint assets were used, then Jay probably does have a stake in the business. I know when my husband’s business was set up, I was listed as a stockowner and a part of the board so if anything happened to him before the company took off, I could legally make decisions for the company. It’s very easy to forget to take people off those documents. But Jay and Kristin’s lawyers probably thought of that.
When Jay and Kristen first announced their divorce they were at odds about their separation date. At that time, I speculated that Jay was being considered for a lucrative sports announcer job and wanted his marriage end date before he signed so they wouldn’t have his contract considered in his divorce settlement. A year later, as far as I can tell, Jay still doesn’t have a contract anywhere. One of the reasons Kristin gave for the end of their relationship was Jay’s laziness and his need for a post-NFL career. If Jay helped build Uncommon James, he’s entitled to his cut – be it a percentage or a buy-out. And I mean “help build” in any sense, whether he financially helped or even took over childcare and home management so Kristin could focus full time on the business. However if Jay didn’t help build the business at all I can see why Kristin’s pushing back.
Photo credit: Instagram
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcGlnaYF4e8masJibpam5pr6%2BsJinrKOUtaK4xZimn5ebp7a0wMinlpyZppa5ra3RoqqYrZ6YvK65zqeWo5mdmsCgr86mp5qmqZS2r6vToZyiqo%2BZtre70ZycaA%3D%3D