Kim Kardashian has been declared legally single from Kanye West, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steve Cochran ruled Wednesday. As a result of the ruling, the reality star will no longer go by “Kim Kardashian West” – she will only use her famous Kardashian surname from now on.
Kardashian, 41, appeared at the hearing via video conference from what looked like a closet, and seemed “happy” despite the difficult subject matter. During the hearing, the judge asked Kardashian several questions under oath.
When asked if she wanted to change her name back, the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” alum replied, “Yes.”
Kardashian also responded “Yes” when the judge asked if there was a breakdown in the marriage.
“After the judge read the questions and told her she now has her single status back, Kim smiled.”
West’s new attorney Samantha Spector – whom he hired at the last minute after firing his previous counsel within less than 24 hours of the hearing – said her billionaire client had “no issues” with Kardashian getting her name back, but was more concerned with his “assets and interest.”
Spector said on behalf of West that the “All of the Lights” rapper, 44, wanted to “make sure his trust was protected.”
Kardashian’s attorney, Laura Wasser, objected to her client’s trust being frozen, arguing that the reality TV mogul uses the trust for her business. The judge sided with Kardashian’s team on this issue.
Spector said West’s main issues boiled down to protecting his retirement plan and that he still wanted Kardashian to waive her “marital privilege.”
In the event that Kardashian were to remarry, this would have granted West permission to call her new husband to testify about his communications with the reality star should there be any issues in the future.
Later in the hearing, the judge asked when both parties would like to return to discuss other matters.
Spector requested 120 days, saying she knows “there is a lot of custody issues that need to be worked out.”
“I don’t think so, your Honor,” Wasser responded. “There hasn’t been any issues in the past year.”
The judge went ahead and granted the 120 days Spector requested. Both parties will be back for a status conference hearing on Aug. 5.
Regarding the issue of waiving marital privilege, Kardashian’s attorney previously said in court docs filed in February: “Clearly Mr. West’s goal here is to prevent or make it difficult for Ms. Kardashian to remarry.” The judge sided with the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” alum and denied West’s request.
However, lawyers on both sides were able to agree to rewrite the terms of the retirement agreement.