Kobe Bryant Divorce

Kobe Bryant is NOT getting divorced.

TMZ broke the story ... Vanessa -- through her lawyer, disso-queen Laura Wasser -- filed to end her marriage in December, 2011. Several months later ... Kobe -- in an attempt to win her back -- deeded over his interest in their 3 Newport Beach mansions.

Since she filed, Vanessa and Kobe were on-again, off-again like high school students.

But in the last month ... they got very tight. A turning point seemed to be the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy relief concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC, when the two left arm-in-arm. They spent New Year's Eve together, were spotted at lunch and have pretty much been inseparable.

There have been reports that Kobe is getting back with Vanessa because it's cheaper to keep her ... but that's just not true. Fact is ... we've checked property records and Vanessa still owns 2 of the Newport Beach mansions -- she just sold the third for $3.2 mil. We don't know for sure, but it seems like Kobe may have signed a post-nup, giving Vanessa more financial leverage in the relationship.

Kobe Bryant's wife just lost one-third of her real estate portfolio ... unloading one of the three Newport Beach mansions Kobe gave her right after they split back in 2011 ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... Vanessa Bryant listed the 6,000 sq. ft. Newport Beach property back in September for $3.75 million -- and she finally closed the deal this month for $3.22 million.

Kobe and Vanessa purchased the place back in 2003 for $2.65 million. Vanessa's mother Sofia was living in the home prior to the sale.

The house is one of three massive Newport Beach mansions Kobe gave Vanessa last year ... one month after she filed for divorce.

As for the status of Kobe and Vanessa's divorce -- the papers have not been withdrawn ... and one source tells us they're on and off so much it's hard to get a read.

Still, the two were acting pretty coupley in public as recently as New Year's -- maybe 2013 is the year of the comeback.

Kobe Bryant made an extremely rare appearance on the Sunset Strip for New Year's Eve -- and he did it with his sometimes estranged wife Vanessa Bryant.

Kobe and Vanessa -- both dressed to the nines -- sure looked like things are back on for 2013 as they walked out of BOA Steakhouse.

We asked the Black Mamba what he's doing to stay on top of his game -- and he answered, "lot of hard work."

Here's the thing -- was he talking about basketball ... or Vanessa?

Her year-old divorce petition is still filed, but our sources say it looks like they're working things out ... again ... for now.

Kobe Bryant and his estranged wife Vanessa didn't appear too estranged last night ... strolling around NYC together last night arm in arm ... but sources tell TMZ, it's a different story behind the scenes.

Kobe and Vanessa looked as couply as a couple could look on their way out of the 12-12-12 concert at Madison Square Garden ... even sharing a ride home.

Of course, in public ... Kobe and Vanessa appear to be well along the road to reconciliation ever since she filed for divorce in 2011 -- kissing in public, lunching together and now going on concert dates.

But sources connected to the couple tell TMZ ... Kobe ain't outta the woods yet.

Another positive sign for Kobe Bryant's marriage -- the NBA star took his estranged wife Vanessa out on a romantic lunch date today ... and they totally SPLIT A SANDWICH & SOUP COMBO MEAL!!!

The two rolled in to the PDM Bakery and Cafe in Newport Beach, CA this afternoon looking and acting very coupley -- despite the fact their divorce is still pending.

Sources tell us ... Kobe and Vanessa split the Tuscan chicken sandwich (served hot) and tortilla soup combo meal -- and washed it down with a pair of iced teas.

We're told the Bryants hung out at the restaurant for about an hour ... and couldn't have been nicer.

Vanessa filed for divorce back in December ... but it seems like they're all but reconciled these days. Not only did Vanessa support Kobe in London during the Olympics, she also attended the Lakers pre-season game last night.

Vanessa Bryant will NOT sign documents to make her divorce final ... at least for now ... because TMZ has learned, she and Kobe are working on a full reconciliation.

We've learned Kobe and Vanessa are trying to work out the issues that caused her to file for divorce back in December. They spend a lot of time together but he has not officially moved back in with her.

Under California law, Vanessa has to wait 6 months before she can file final docs making the divorce official. The 6-month mark hits this weekend, so Vanessa could end the marriage as early as Monday ... but we know she won't.

Now here's the deal. We're told Kobe and Vanessa have had their ups and downs since she filed for divorce ... and there's nothing stopping her from filing final divorce papers at some point in the future if things don't work out.

One more thing. If Kobe and Vanessa end up living together ... it will be in one of her 3 mansions, because he signed over all the deeds to her while they were working out divorce details.

Advantage Vanessa.

After finally conquering the Denver Nuggets, Kobe Bryant was greeted outside the locker room by his two daughters ... and estranged wife Vanessa Bryant ... the latest photo to fuel rumors of a possible reconciliation.

As TMZ first reported, the pair shared a post-game kiss on Valentine's Day (see below) but hit up a Los Angeles Kings game last month as "really good friends."

Just two months after Kobe Bryant and his estranged wife Vanessa shared a Valentine's Day kiss (below) -- fueling hopes of a reconciliation -- the two hit up the L.A. Kings playoff game with their daughters ... as "really good friends."

Sources close to Kobe tell TMZ ... the divorce is still on ... but Kobe is adamant the two are "really good friends" who still love each other.

As TMZ first reported, Kobe has been "aggressively" trying to save his marriage.

We're told Vanessa was open to the idea of a reconciliation ... but as of now, the divorce is still expected to move forward with Vanessa set to walk away with all three of the Bryant's Newport mansions PLUS $75 million in cash.

Not everyone hates Kobe Bryant's wife ... in fact, she has a pretty big fan in Shaunie O'Neal -- Shaq's ex-wife -- who tells TMZ she "LOVES" that the Bryants seem to be reconciling.

Shaunie -- the executive producer of VH1's "Basketball Wives" -- was leaving MyStudio last night when we asked about the photo of Kobe and Vanessa kissing after a recent Lakers game.

"I think it's wonderful ... too much energy to be angry ... some situations are worse than others, but I love it."

TMZ broke the story ... Vanessa filed for divorce back in December ... but we're told Kobe is trying like hell to win her back.

Shaunie has spent A LOT of time around the Bryants over the years ... especially Vanessa ... since Shaq spent 8 years as Kobe's teammate on the L.A. Lakers.

Vanessa Bryant and her kids were in New York City over the weekend, looking for a big ol' apartment ... TMZ has learned.

Real estate sources tell us ... Vanessa won't say if she's packing up and moving from California -- but she definitely wants to buy a place in NYC.

It's not exactly a sign that she's reconciling with Kobe Bryant, even though the two were kissing after the Lakers game on Valentine's Day.

Vanessa now owns 3 estates in Newport Beach, after Kobe transferred title to her as part of their divorce -- which has not yet become final. And, as we first reported, Vanessa will score a total of $75 mil in the settlement.

As for whether Vanessa would move away from California ... we're told she thinks Lakers fans and Lakers wives don't like her -- at least that's the way she perceives it.

No doubt ... if Vanessa did move, it would royally screw Kobe up. He still loves her, wants her back, and doesn't want his kids to live across the country.

Our real estate sources say Vanessa made it clear -- Kobe knows she's shopping in the Big Apple.

Kobe Bryant is making a full court press to save his marriage ... and has sworn up and down to Vanessa he will never stray again if she takes him back.

Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ ... Kobe has "aggressively" pursued Vanessa over the last three weeks, and she's been receptive. We're told Vanessa tends to believe Kobe, but still isn't sure the marriage can be resurrected.

And then there's the subject of lavish gifts. We're told Kobe has given Vanessa a very expensive piece of jewelry. We don't know the price, nor do we know how it compares to the $4 million ring she scored after Kobe's infamous dalliance a few years back.

Another come-from-behind victory for Kobe Bryant ... sucking face with the woman who has now taken all of his homes, Vanessa Bryant ... and now TMZ can confirm the two are working on a reconciliation.

Vanessa showed up for the Lakers Valentine's Day victory over the Atlanta Hawks. The two shared a kiss in the tunnel on the way into the locker room.

TMZ broke the story ... Vanessa filed for divorce in December, and they have already sealed the property settlement deal in which Vanessa got all 3 Newport Beach estates.

But sources told us at the time Vanessa filed ... don't be surprised if she goes back to Bryant.

And, although Kobe and Vanessa have submitted all the necessary docs to divorce, it doesn't become final until mid-June, so there's plenty of time to withdraw the papers.

FYI -- we're told Kobe and Vanessa are NOT living with each other ... yet.

Kobe Bryant and Vanessa are well on their way to becoming single ... because we’ve learned Kobe has already transferred title on two of his mansions over to his soon-to-be ex-wife.

TMZ has checked official records ... which show on January 5th, Kobe surrendered his interest in 2 of their estates to Vanessa ... on that same day Vanessa surrendered her interest in a 3rd home to Kobe.

As far as who got what ... the title transfers don't list addresses, but our sources say Vanessa is now the full owner of the mansion she shared with Kobe in Newport Coast. As for the second home Vanessa now owns in full ... it's the nearby mansion where her mother has been living.

We’re told the estate Vanessa fully deeded to Kobe is the one currently under construction – also in Newport Coast.

TMZ broke the story ... Vanessa filed for divorce from Kobe on Dec 16th.

Although we heard rumblings of a possible reconciliation ... the property transfers make it seem the divorce is going full throttle.

Kobe's rep, Michael Sitrick, had no comment.

Kobe Bryant has NOT given up on saving his marriage ... and sources close to the family tell us his two daughters are playing a major role in his effort to reconcile ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Kobe is "deeply depressed" over the situation -- and is very concerned about how his daughters will handle growing up in two separate households.

TMZ broke the story ... Vanessa decided to pull the plug after catching the NBA star in another extra-marital affair.