Keith Urban, left, and Nicole Kidman arrive at the 28th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
After nearly two decades of marriage, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are officially parting ways. The divorce, now formalized through detailed settlement papers, outlines how the couple will divide their substantial assets and co-parent their children. The documents, filed on September 30 in a Nashville, Tennessee court, were obtained by The Nightly just a day after the news of their separation sent ripples through the entertainment industry.
In a surprising twist, the papers reveal that Kidman will spend more time with their children and hold ultimate decision-making authority if the parties cannot reach an agreement. The Oscar-winning actress cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split from the New Zealand-born country music star, who reportedly moved out of their Nashville home earlier this summer.
Dividing Assets: Property and Personal Belongings
The settlement has been meticulously crafted, covering everything from custody arrangements and child support to the division of their $60 million property portfolio. According to the documents, neither Kidman nor Urban owns real property in their individual names. Instead, their assets are tied up in trusts and other entities, with real estate interests awarded in accordance with these agreements.
Jointly purchased items such as furniture and art have already been divided evenly. Individually acquired assets, like cars registered in each person’s name, will remain with their respective owner. Both Kidman and Urban will retain the right to possess personal property acquired before their 2006 marriage.
Creative Works and Financial Independence
The couple has agreed to retain full ownership of their individual creative works, including compositions, scripts, and recordings. Each will be responsible for costs associated with their own work and will continue to receive income, royalties, or benefits derived from them.
Financial independence is a key theme in the settlement. Both parties will maintain separate bank and investment accounts, waiving rights to each other’s assets and debts. They have even divided hotel, airline, and credit card points, with each party awarded the points associated with their respective accounts.
Parenting Plan: Custody and Decision-Making
The “Permanent Parenting Plan” grants Kidman primary custody of their daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. The children will spend 306 days of the year with Kidman and 59 days with Urban. The plan emphasizes a shared commitment to providing a loving and stable environment for the children, with both parents agreeing not to speak ill of each other.
Urban will have custody of the children every other weekend, from Saturday morning to Sunday evening, and will see them on Father’s Day each year. Kidman will have the children for Easter and Mother’s Day. During school holidays, Urban will spend time with the children in even-numbered years, while Kidman will have them in odd-numbered years.
“The mother and father will behave with each other and each child so as to provide a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child even though they are divorced.”
Major parenting decisions, such as education and healthcare, will be made jointly. However, if they cannot agree, Kidman will have the final say.
Implications and Future Outlook
This divorce marks the end of one of Hollywood’s most high-profile marriages. The detailed settlement reflects a careful and considered approach to separation, emphasizing the importance of stability and continuity for their children. The agreement also highlights the couple’s commitment to maintaining their individual careers and financial independence.
As Kidman and Urban navigate this new chapter, the entertainment world will undoubtedly watch closely. Their ability to manage a high-profile divorce with dignity and respect could set a precedent for other celebrity couples facing similar challenges.
The next steps will involve implementing the terms of the settlement and ensuring that the parenting plan is followed. Both Kidman and Urban have expressed a desire to continue focusing on their careers and personal projects while co-parenting their children effectively.
