Shannen Doherty’s Ex-Husband Challenges Divorce Ruling 18 Months After Her Death

Nearly two years after Shannen Doherty’s tragic passing, her ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko has filed a motion to invalidate their divorce judgment, sparking a heated legal battle with her estate.

The dispute centers on whether a Los Angeles court retained authority to finalize the divorce just two days after the actress’s death from breast cancer on July 13, 2024.

This escalation follows accusations that Iswarienko has breached key settlement terms, leaving Doherty’s trust demanding unpaid funds and property.

Background on Marriage and Divorce

Doherty, famed for her roles as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Prue Halliwell in Charmed, married photographer Kurt Iswarienko in 2011 after 11 years together, an event featured on their reality show Shannen Says.

She filed for divorce in April 2023, citing irreconcilable differences amid her ongoing cancer battle, with the couple separating as early as January 2023.

In a poignant final act, Doherty signed the settlement on July 12, 2024, one day before her death, while Iswarienko signed on July 13; a judge approved it on July 15.

Doherty had accused Iswarienko of delaying proceedings in hopes she would not survive, heightening the emotional stakes.

Key Settlement Disputes

The Shannen Doherty Family Trust, led by trustee Christopher Cortazzo, filed in November 2025, alleging multiple violations.

Under the agreement, Iswarienko was to sell Doherty’s $1.5 million Texas home and split the proceeds equally with her estate, but filings claim he has refused to list it and may be residing there.

He also owed $100,000 to buy out her share in their Mooney M20 airplane, payable within five days of selling their Camarillo hangar in August 2025, yet allegedly withheld $50,274 from the estate.

Additionally, Doherty’s team accuses him of refusing to return her personal property.

Iswarienko’s Counterarguments

In documents filed January 14, 2026, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Iswarienko’s attorney argues the court lost jurisdiction upon Doherty’s death, automatically terminating the case before the July 15 judgment.

He further contends the settlement was filed in the wrong court, stripping it of enforcement power, and questions Cortazzo’s authority as trustee to pursue claims.

Iswarienko, 51, seeks to block any trustee substitution or enforcement, potentially unraveling the entire agreement.

Broader Context and Implications

Doherty’s net worth stood at about $10 million at death, tied largely to real estate, like a Malibu mansion listed in 2025, with her mother, Rosa, inheriting as she died childless.

This clash underscores the complexities of estate planning during terminal illness and divorce, where timing can void rulings under California law, death typically abates pending actions unless properly substituted.

Fans and legal observers await the judge’s decision, which could redistribute assets or affirm the estate’s claims.

No hearing date is set, but the outcome may set precedents for posthumous divorces.