Celebrity Justice
Jessica to Nick -- You Don't Have the Stomach to Sue

Jessica Simpson has offered Nick Lachey what is an "insulting" property settlement offer, banking on the assumption that Lachey does not want to press the matter in court.

Multiple sources connected with the former couple tell TMZ that Simpson has offered Lachey less than $1.5 million to settle the division of property. Under California law, Lachey would be entitled to half of what the couple earned during their marriage. The Associated Press reports that in 2004 alone, Simpson raked in $30 million.

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We're told that Simpson's reps believe that Lachey will fold because he does not want to make it appear that he is after her money. They also know that Lachey is still in love with his estranged wife and believe he does not have the stomach to square off with her in court.

Indeed, sources have confirmed to TMZ that Joe Simpson, Jessica's dad, has called Nick, urging him to take the settlement so the two can "end as friends." And other friends and reps of Jessica have contacted Nick, trying to pressure him into a settlement.

Sources say Lachey "absolutely will not ask for spousal support," even though legally he has a right to press that claim. He will not, however, accept a paltry settlement that in no way approaches what he would be legally entitled to under the law.

In 2004 Jessica said, "If anything were to happen to me and Nick, I've had a great life with him and he would deserve half of everything I have." It appears she has had a radical change of heart.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Break-Ups, Nick Lachey, Jessica Simpson

Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 3) | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. u know u made more than 6 mill over the course of your marriage
just give the guy half and stop bitchin!

Posted at 11:22PM on Jun 9th 2006 by erick

2. I just can't beleave Jessica Simpson, Nick is the best thing that ever happened to h er & she throws him away! I think her Dad, needs to stay OUT!!! it's alittle weird how he is with jessica & ashley. I know he is there manager, but come on he is around to much. I hope Nick, finds someone who will love him unconditionally he is a great catch!!! Jessica, needs to GROW UP & smell the coffee. She is very spoiled,& winey...

Posted at 12:06AM on Jun 10th 2006 by Tammy Waller

3. Its easy to see things from the outside in, it always appears as though the picture is clear.

I know that for me marriage is until death do us both part, not I'm not happy and too focused on me to care about you. Marriage is work, and someone didn't want to really work!

Posted at 12:00AM on Jun 11th 2006 by Onawa

4. Jessica should give Nick what he deserves....after all she did break his heart. If she would stop taking her Fathers advise and grow-up she would see the clear view. Divorcing NICK was the craziest thing yet. Although, if Jessica would step out of the spot-light for sometime maybe she would get her head straight. But we all know that it all about me, me, me.

Posted at 8:37PM on Jun 11th 2006 by Leann

5. I think when the dust settles and Nick is gone and finds love again. Jessica will look at Gross Big Daddy and hate him for getting involved in their marriage! I really hope when Jessica comes crawling back. And she will! That Nick is head over heels In love with someone else and OVER the drama that IS Jessica Simpson. And he sends her on her way. And HE lives happily ever after. Drew and Cheryl are the perfect Match! I'm glad Drew is their to help Nick think straight!
Nick was known and had a BIG female following and fan club already from the 98 dgrs days. Jessica wasn't even a beep on the radar when they met. The "Newlyweds" which was a 50/50 show Sicko Papa Simpson's money and the WORLD seeing into the lives and home of Nick and Jess is what launched her career! Everyone liked and believed her sweet home town girl persona. I had stopped liking her when she was flashing that 30 caret Emerald and acting stuck up. She was shutting Nick out and on TV!!! Not letting him finish a sentence! He didn't have rich parents to pay for his Videos. He paid himself and didn't use "THEIR" Money! YES!! He deserves at least HALF. And a much better woman than Jessica Simpson. I do NOT like her. I like Ashley a lot she did most of the work herself. While He Dad was keeping his sites on his other daughters Chest! Eeeeeeeyyyyyyuuuuuuccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Posted at 5:22AM on Jun 12th 2006 by Mimi Rassatt

6. i think that jessica is stupid b*tch and her dad is sick he is a perfect picture of a perverted man i mean he talks about how jessica breast are so good not even nick he had respect and would never make any commant like tha and we all heard it and said nothing why did we allow it becaouse he said that it was
not joe the dad but joe the manager well then he needed to get
slapped by nick the ex she was nothing before nick all her fame and money came after nick so now that the stupid people keep on supportribg her she does not need hem anymore who cares about nick right this is a f***ed world because we make it this way join me and boycought jessica simpson and the whole family send them back to texas

Posted at 11:24AM on Jun 12th 2006 by sadny

7. Jessica is so frickin' stupid!!!! She just has no clue what she has done to her life.
I hope that she has her little fun and tries to come back to Nick and he is with
some really hot girl. I personally think that Jessica is a "buttaface" {for those who
don't know that term... everything looks good BUTTA face} :) And what the hell
happened to her lips?? Suckin up too much?

Posted at 11:28PM on Jun 13th 2006 by JJ

8. I I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NICK IS SO HEARTBROKEN. HE HAS GONE FROM ONE GIRL TO ANOTHER IN RECORD TIME. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY SHE THOUGHT HE WAS CHEATING.
I THINK HE IS A DOG AND A HEARTLESS ONE AT THAT. HE HAS PUT HER THROUGH ALOT AND THEN MADE IT PUBLIC.
AND I THINK THAT NICK BROTHER DREW WAS NOT THE HEALTHIEST FOR THIS RELATIONSHIP. I THINK HE PUSHED FOR THE END. WAS THAT JEALOUSY OR IS HE HAPPY THAT SOMEONE KNOWS WHO HE IS NOW?

Posted at 11:55PM on Jun 13th 2006 by CAROL

9. I believe that Jessica has let the tabloids gas up her head. She needs a slap across her face and maybe she will realize that Nick was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Without Nick she will not be as well-known and rich she is today . If you really think about it when Jessica married Nick and started NEWLYWEDS that was when she started getting money. Nick had changed her whole life around. One day she will regret breaking up with Nick.

Posted at 1:01AM on Jun 14th 2006 by Jazmine

10. Yes, I agree....let's BOYCOTT the Simpson's. I love Nick , he is true to who he is and he will find love. As for Jessica she is last year's news.

Team Nick Lachey

Posted at 7:25AM on Jun 14th 2006 by Marty

11. I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU ALL, I THINK JESSICA HAS FORGOTTEN WHERE
SHE CAME FROM, I LOVE NICK I WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING WITH JESSICA SIMPPSON NAME ON IT, BECAUSE SHE HAS GOT THE BIG HEAD!!!!!!!! HER FATHER NEEDS TO LEAVE THEM A LONE!!!!

Posted at 11:35AM on Jun 14th 2006 by dorothy bender

12. i agree that jessica has completely lost her mind letting nich go. she was nothing before she met him and thats what she will be now that she doesnt have him. she needs to give him his due and pay that man for even letting her be apart of his life. i mean how can someone like nick actually be happy with someone like jessica who doesnt care about anything unless it benefits her. nick is going to be so much happier without her and she is the one who is going to wish that she never did him the way she did. i have never like jessica and never will. i never understood how she landed a man like nick anyway.

Posted at 12:55PM on Jun 14th 2006 by stephanie

13. First of all I just want to say that we really need to leave them both alone. You know part of the problem was us the people that would not let them live their lives without the public srutiny. I also think that if Nick and Jessica ever want to be happy they should at least try to give eachother another chance. I really believe that they can really make it work as long as they try at it. I do think though that they both need to do some serious changes to accomodate the other. I think Jessica should not have ther dad as a manager since we all know that he is not too fond of Nick and never really has been. I also think that Nick should not be so friendly with women if he really wants Jess to believe that he still loves her and that he wants her back. I STILL LOVE BOTH OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 4:52PM on Jun 14th 2006 by Edna

14. I agree with everyone else. Jessica is trippin to leave Nick! Its so clear she did it with pressure form her family. She was nothing before she met Nick. She was barely famous. Thats why her dad told her not to sign a prenup! She definatly owes Nick half of everything! without Newlyweds she wouldnt be anyone. and really, who the hell is she? i dont think her music is that good, not that shes done anything new lately, and all she has done is like Pizza Hut comercials and a movie that flopped! whooooo! what a star! shes just very immature. she was clearly not ready to get married. i mean the whole virgin thing probally messed with her. she probally got some idea that she needed to experience being iwth other men or somthing. whatever the case, i agree that she is sefl centered, whiney, listens to her dad way to much, and that Nick is better off without her.

Posted at 4:05PM on Jun 15th 2006 by faiths13

15. I agree with number 13... I think that people in the limelight have a tougher chance to sort their own personal issues out. I also think jessica should not have family as her management. Look at all the child actors that have seperated from their parents. The parents thought more of the money relationship than they did of the family relationship. I don't know about you but I have worked with my family at the same job, and all I wanted to do was kick the crap out of them.
Nick made me cry on his behind the music thing. All the dude wants is a family and its a shame Jessica couldn't realize that family comes first before money. I am not saying become Britney Spears and get that far off track with having buns in the oven one after another. At least have some time and chill and enjoy your marriage. There is a time for family and there is a time for career. Look at Christina Aguilera. She took some time off, got engaged or married not sure which one, and now she is back. If you have a great voice it will stay with you, but if you are stressed then what good is it?

Posted at 7:49PM on Jun 16th 2006 by terramayfield

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