Jessica and Nick Settle Money Dispute

Jessica Simpson & Nick LacheyTMZ has learned that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have divided up the assets in their marriage, and Nick agreed to less than his share in order to avoid an ugly court fight.

The couple amassed a fortune during their three-year marriage, in no small part because of their MTV reality show "Newlyweds" and the avalanche of endorsements and other deals that followed. Jessica refused to sign a prenuptial agreement, so under California law the assets -- estimated at $36 million -- are to be divided equally. So Jessica and Nick should each get $18.

Nick will take significantly more than the $1.5 million, but considerably less than 50%

As TMZ first reported, Jessica (we're told at the behest of her dad, Joe Simpson) offered Nick a relatively measly $1.5 million to walk away from the marriage. Sources say Joe Simpson believed Nick didn't have the stomach to put up a fight over money. Nevertheless, Nick rejected the offer and the former sweethearts decided to make their divorce final and try to hammer out a property settlement.

Sources say in the property settlement -- which has not yet been filed in court -- Nick will take significantly more than the $1.5 million, but considerably less than 50% of what he and Jessica earned during the marriage. Two sources in Nick's camp made it clear to TMZ that Lachey agreed to end the dispute because he does not want to hurt anyone in a contentious court battle.

Ironically last week, a reporter on a red carpet relayed a message from Joe and Jessica Simpson to Nick: "They love you. You're still part of the family." Nick blanched and said "Well, good, that's nice to hear...." The reporter persisted "...Jessica will always love you." Nick's classic reply: "Okay, then!"




Reader Comments

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121. Everybody seems to remember the few times Nick was actually sweet but what about how he always put Jessica down or gulited her because he felt inferior. What kind of a man belittles his wife and down-plays their accomplishements just because she is momentarily more succesful than he? That is not Love. And how can everybody forget how little time passed after their break-up before he was out lookin for a piece? And what about how he treated her in the first place; the two of them broke up their first relationship because he did not respect her or her body. Nick is just using his break-up with Jess to put him back in the spot-light with his Oh-poor-me routine. It's disgusting.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++Team Simpson+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Posted at 2:31PM on Sep 8th 2006 by Krystle

122. Nick got more than was deserved. Jess was the bread winner of the relationship. If i was her i would've fought for less than what she got. Nick would not even been known if it wasn't for Jess. TEAM SIMPSON!

Posted at 5:37AM on Sep 9th 2006 by mecha

123. Nick, you are a true gentleman! One who knows that money isn't everything. Unlike Joe Simpson, who is a greedy ,underhanded man. Your love for his daughter was real. She inturn should watch her back, as I wouldn't be surprised to hear in 2 or 3 years from now, how she is suing her "Manager/Father" for mismanagement of funds, or theft. Mark my words...it has happened to other celebrities before! Keep the faith, heads up. You are extremely talented and handsome to boot! Good life to you. Enjoy, you are young. You both were!

Posted at 2:48PM on Sep 9th 2006 by Ellen

124. The Simpson Family are a bunch of golddiggers. Did anyonce catch Jess on the Leno Show and her MTV Special? Your career is over!

Papa Joe didn't want Jessica signing a prenup because Nick was the bigger star back when they got married. Karma has come around and bit his ass as Jess made more money. Had Jessica been a bigger star, everyone knows he would have demanded a prenup.

Jessica broke up their relationship the first time because she said she wanted to "date other guys". Girl, you don't know what you want so you let Papa Joe make your decisions for you. Nick would never stoop so low to creat a publicity stunt just to sell records. Him being honest has got him this far today i.e. selling more records and getting more endorsements and has a solo tour.

Team Nick!

Posted at 5:51PM on Sep 9th 2006 by Giselle

125. ----------------------------------------------
Well...Nick doesn't have any more class than anyone else. He probably
settled because he needs the money now rather than later. Anywho, he
was boring as all get out on their MTV show... Bye the way has he had
a career since the boy band days? Oh thats right, he got a new one
when he married Jessica. Get a grip...As he said himself on
the tonight show " Jessica is his sugar momma "... Now THERE!!
----------------------------------------------

Posted at 3:24PM on Sep 10th 2006 by Monica

126. GO NICK!!! I always thought you had so much more talent than your ex! You just seem like an all around good guy... You did the right thing, I bet you can sleep easily at night.. All the best to you~ Kriss

Posted at 9:37PM on Sep 9th 2006 by Kriss Petrucelli

127. Team Lachey! You go Nick! Even though you honestly deserved half of her money, you told her to beat it and took less! You have more class than that skanky whore will ever have! TEAM NICK FOREVER!

Posted at 12:29PM on Sep 10th 2006 by Danielle

128. I understand Nick taking the high road and not fighting over the money that he should have received. He has a lot of class and she and her family have none. She is a bimbo who is manipulated by her family and Nick is too good for her. Let her go date and see if she can find someone in phony Hollywood as tolerant as Nick because she is way too high maintenance with marginal talent.

I hope Nick and Vanessa make it as a couple because she is everything Jessica is not.

Posted at 4:15PM on Sep 10th 2006 by Lisa Bartlow

129. Nick Lachey is a CLASS ACT.
Joe Simpson is a FRUIT.
And Jessica...well the FRUITS don't fall far from the tree!!

Posted at 8:09PM on Sep 10th 2006 by Janet

130. Class act? Not quite. We all know why that marriage ended; cuz nick cheated. I'm not saying he's a completely awful guy, but let's not all down jessica either. Most of you just take nick's side cuz he's that "hot guy." I hope ya'll know all your info before you say hurtful things about people.

Posted at 11:55AM on Sep 11th 2006 by ashlee

131. Nick is a handsome guy and deserves better. Has anyone noticed how we didn't hear negative stuff about him sleeping all over town or saw pictures of him with different women? Hummmmmnnnnn..seems like a real gentlemen to me. Maybe the next time around he will choose someone who can mirror his beliefs and values. Whoever she is, she will be very lucky. Jessica says that she wishes she was in love. Dummy doesn't realize that she just let the best thing ever walk right out of her life.I hope her Dad will be there to suport her, when everybody else things tht she is just a worn out piece of ass!

Posted at 10:32AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Andrea

132. it just goes to show what type of people the Simpsons really are. Nick never really fit in with their family. He seemed to be more of a family guy, down to earth and not into the " look at me and my DD's" He is better off without her. She is a very immature young lady who will one day discover what she had and there will be noone there but her creepy father. Her singing abilities are not that of a superstar and her acting or should I say lack there of, is something off of junior high musical. Instead of putting more money into plumping her lips with god knows what, this young lady should take some of her $$ and get some acting and singing lessons. When she sings it all sounds scratchy and she attempts to be soulful. Just because you are from the south does not make you a soulful singer. I recently watched her on the view. I had to turn the channel. Her rendition of Let Him Fly was terrible, the words were all mumbled. Let the Dixie Chicks teach her how to sing it properly. As for Nick, I think he a man with incredible class and great vocal talent. I recently saw his commercial for Tag body spray............funny. And not even trying to be funny. Obviously he came out on top, the better person with a loyal fan base and looking like a winner. Jessica came out the loser, and a selfish one at that.

Posted at 3:14PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Sheila

133. :TMZ first reported, Jessica (we're told at the behest of her dad, Joe Simpson) offered Nick a relatively measly $1.5 million to walk away from the marriage. Sources say Joe Simpson believed Nick didn't have the stomach to put up a fight over money. Nevertheless, Nick rejected the offer and the former sweethearts decided to make their divorce final and try to hammer out a property settlement.< end quote>

IMO -That whole Simpson clan needs to get over themselves. Joe is a creepy jerk, Tina is an idiot, Jessica & Ashlee are no talent, one dimensional wanna' be's. Nick should thank his lucky stars he's not being controlled by any of them any longer.

Posted at 9:28AM on Sep 12th 2006 by Seattleite

134. There are always 2 sides to every story and nobody knows what went on behind close doors. I wish both Ncick and Jessie the best of luck with their future careers. I do think Jessie is being over exposed though. After this current cd I would lay low for a peorid of time.

Posted at 4:56PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Kelly

135. I would have taken that bitch for all she was worth! Nick yet again proved himself a upstanding guy by walking away. One day Jessica will realize that the love Nick felt for her was once in a lifetime. She will NEVER have that again and she'll be sorry. Becasuse the next man who weds and divorces her will take her for all she's worth. . .WATCH!

Posted at 5:56PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Melissa

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