Legal

Britney Spears will not have to ante up any money to estranged husband Sam Asghari, at least based on their prenup, but our sources say there's a big reason she'll feel compelled to write him a substantial check.

Sources with direct knowledge of the prenup tell TMZ ... Sam gets no payout in the event of divorce. In addition, the prenup precludes him from getting spousal support. He can keep the gifts Britney gave him and his cars, but that's about it.

Our sources say there's an "extensive confidentiality clause" in the prenup, prohibiting Sam from talking about his relationship with Britney.

So on the surface, it seems Sam's getting nothing of significance, but that's not the case.

As we reported, Sam's lawyer, Neal Hersh, filed divorce docs which ask for spousal support. Given the prenup precludes such support, Hersh's move signals a challenge to the prenup. There are other elements of the divorce filing suggesting a challenge ... writing about community and quasi-community property.

The argument goes this way ... if the prenup is successfully challenged, the confidentiality clause is not enforceable. Even the threat of that will get Britney's attention.

Here's the reality. Multiple sources tell TMZ ... Sam has A LOT of first-hand knowledge about Britney, their relationship, their arguments, her challenges, etc., and if there's even a possibility any of that might become public, Britney will gladly pay Sam for peace of mind.

Our sources say Britney and Sam's lawyers will negotiate and she will end up writing him a check for several hundred thousand dollars and that will be that. Part of that settlement will include a confidentiality clause that will require Sam to return any money he gets if he violates the NDA.

So this one will never go to trial.

Xavien Howard has been sued by a woman who claims the NFL star filmed "hard core" sex acts with her without her consent ... and then shared them with at least one other person -- though the Miami Dolphins player is adamant he'll fight the case.

The woman, ID'ed only as Jane Doe, made the claims in a lawsuit filed in Florida back in May.

In the suit, she alleges she first made contact with the cornerback in 2016 over social media direct messaging ... before the two began dating in 2022.

A short time later, however, she claims a woman reached out to her via Instagram, concerned she might have been sent a video by Howard that showed Doe having sex with the football player.

The woman allegedly told Doe that Howard had shared the footage with her in an attempt "to make her mad because she didn't want to have sex with him." Doe claims after viewing the video, she was easily identifiable in it.

According to the lawsuit, Doe texted Howard about the situation in late September 2022 ... telling him she had not consented to being filmed. She said in the docs in October, she sent him a cease and desist letter.

Yet Doe says months later, in April 2023, another woman contacted her via cell phone and said Howard had sent her photos and videos of nude women because "she would not have sex with him" -- and she said she believed Doe was in one of the pictures.

Doe "was in one of the photos and it was both taken and disseminated without her knowledge or consent after [she] had sent the cease and desist letter," the lawsuit states.

Doe is now suing Howard for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She's asking for damages in excess of $50,000 ... as well as injunctive relief that would preclude Howard from further disseminating the images.

But, Howard's attorney, Brad Sohn, said in a statement to TMZ Sports that his client intends to vehemently defend himself in the case.

"Anyone can file a lawsuit," Sohn said. "That does not remotely mean that this lawsuit ... actually has merit. This will be fought against aggressively."

Lil Tay is in line for a comeback on the heels of her death hoax ... because there have been significant developments in her mother's custody battle with Tay's dad.

Angela Tian's attorneys Lorne MacLean, K.C., and Fraser MacLean, tell TMZ ... the viral star's father, Christopher Hope, has been ordered to cough up approximately $275,000 in back child support, dating all the way back to 2014.

We're told he'll also have to continue to pay monthly child support going forward -- Tay's only 14.

What's more, the lawyers say Angela has sole decision-making power, Tay's primary residence is now with her mother and she has court authorization to relocate with Tay outside of Vancouver, if she chooses.

Remember, it was Christopher who got a court order in 2018, requiring Tay to leave L.A., return to Vancouver and stop making online content. Now, Angela's lawyers are saying that's changed ... they say the court's orders will help Tay advance her career.

Angela tells us this is a HUGE win for Tay and her, saying the extended custody battle has put them "in a constant state of severe depression." She says Christopher's "disgusting financial motivation" has been a massive weight she's glad is finally lifted.

She continues, "I have been financially ruined fighting for my daughter’s rights and freedom which should have never been taken away to begin with. We have won our case in court and my children and I can finally move on from this nightmare. My daughter can pursue and achieve her dreams on her own terms, and we are finally a happy family again, together."

As we reported, Angela and Christopher had widely different ideas for Tay's career back when she reached the peak of her viral fame, when she was just 8.

Christopher said he wanted a more traditional career path -- stuff like singing and acting. But, with her mom at the helm, Lil Tay might be back online in no time.

TMZ broke the story, news of Tay's death -- posted on her IG last week -- wasn't true at all ... and we were told her account was taken over by someone else. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed it had indeed helped Tay regain control of her account.

We've reached out to Christopher for comment about the custody changes, but he said he had no comment.

We covered Lil Tay's custody drama on the latest episode of the TMZ Verified podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

Elton John and Kevin Spacey were having a blast overseas while out to dinner ... enjoying each other's company a month after the singer's crucial testimony in Spacey's sexual assault trial.

The 2 pals dined out at La Petite Maison in France this week, along with Elton's husband, David Furnish, the couples' kids and a few other friends.

They were serenaded by a group called The Snugglers, who posted a clip of the friends' night out on the town. BTW, the group was singing Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" as the table enjoyed their grub.

Elton certainly is a true friend to Kevin, and we aren't just talking about a fun dinner together -- as we reported, he took the stand, remotely, last month during Kevin's trial in London, where he was being accused of sexually assaulting 4 men from 2001 to 2013.

The Rocket Man's testimony challenged the claim of one of Kevin's accusers ... who alleged he was groped by the actor while they were going to one of Elton's annual parties, saying it happened either in 2004 or 2005.

Elton testified, under oath, that timeline wasn't possible ... because Kevin only attended his 2001 party he hosted. David also testified, saying he found old photos to back up Elton's memory.

It was a vital one-two punch in that accuser's case.

Donald Trump is looking to kick one of his criminal cases down the road -- way down the road -- he wants his federal election interference trial to begin after he gets another shot at the White House.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Trump is seeking to delay his upcoming trial until April 2026 ... instead of the January 2024 trial date Special Counsel Jack Smith wants.

Trump's proposed trial start would fall about 17 months after the 2024 presidential election, in which he's the leading Republican candidate.

According to the docs, Trump says the delay is necessary because prosecutors have produced 11.5 million pages of documents -- which he says if stacked together would stretch nearly 5,000 feet into the sky -- and his attorneys need time to comb through all of it.

The former president is now facing 4 criminal cases, but this is related to his federal indictment for attempting to undermine the 2020 election with his actions on, before and after January 6, 2021.

Remember, prosecutors at the Department of Justice charged Trump on Aug. 1 with 4 counts -- conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights (to vote).

Trump's pleaded not guilty ... and Smith's team of prosecutors previously filed docs requesting jury selection begin in December, with the trial starting Jan. 2.

Of course, that would be square in the middle of Trump's campaign for the 2024 election -- keep in mind the Iowa Caucus is on Jan. 15.

So, it's not all that surprising Trump wants to hit pause, and push it until well after the 2024 election ... to a date when he could actually be POTUS, once again. That would make more history.

One of French Montana's recent compositions of La musica de Harry Fraud is getting them both dragged into court -- the artist behind the track's sample claims the song dropped before they finalized a deal.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, an artist named Skylar Gudasz is suing French, Harry Fraud, French's Coke Boys and Cocaine City label imprints, Sony Music and others for copyright infringement.

In the suit, Skylar says she was contacted by someone claiming to represent French around May 2022, and they inquired about licensing a sample to her 2020 song, "Femme Fatale."

She says that is the song that was eventually used for French and Harry's hit song, "Blue Chills" from their "Montega" album last year.

Skylar says they were still hashing out the licensing deal, when she was shocked to see the song get released in June 2022. Skylar says her contact on the licensing deal reacted to the unexpected early release by texting, "Oh jeez" ... and then contacted French's lawyer.

Skylar says she watched "Blue Chills" get featured on subsequent deluxe and vinyl releases of "Montega" -- all without a licensing agreement in place -- before reaching her wits' end.

She's now going after damages, including all the profits she says were made off 'Chills.'

Britney Spears got physical with Sam Asghari over the years, he's told people, once giving him a black eye while he was sleeping ... sources tell TMZ.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us ...  Sam frequently complained about Britney getting physical with him during their 7 years together. We're told there have been numerous fights where security has had to step in, but in one instance there was no security in sight.

Our sources say there was one occasion where Sam says he was sleeping in their bed when Britney flew off the handle and began punching him. We're told Sam did not strike back, but was stunned as his wife pummeled him.

We're told that alleged incident went down early this year, right around the time Sam was photographed with a black eye and bite marks on his forearm.

Paparazzi noticed the bruising and tried to ask Sam about it, but he tried to play it off ... asking photogs not to shoot him.

Our sources say Sam was particularly concerned because Britney had a fascination with knives. We're told there were knives all over the house, including in their bedroom. Britney, as one source put it, "was paranoid someone was going to get her, and she needed the knives as protection." The sources add Britney tended to "fly off the handle" at the smallest slight, and that terrified Sam.

As we first told you, Sam and Britney got into a huge argument a few weeks ago when he accused her of cheating, and that's what triggered his divorce filing. But, we're told that was simply the straw that broke the camel's back.

Britney Spears isn't just losing her husband in the wake of Sam Asghari filing for divorce, she's also losing her strongest supporter ... and there's no family around her to pick up the pieces.

Sources close to Britney tell us ... Sam is fully out of her life. He had moved into his own place before he filed for divorce Wednesday.

Britney is again estranged from her entire family. As we reported, her mother, Lynne, visited in May and it looked like the 2 had patched things up. But sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, that relationship has soured again, and they are once again not on speaking terms.

She's not speaking with her siblings or her dad, and we're told there are no friends around to support her. Her children have moved to Hawaii, without saying goodbye. She hasn't spoken to them in a long, long time.

As one source put it, "She has one confidant, [her manager] Cade [Hudson]. Then there's her security team, and after that her support system falls off a cliff." We're told her mom and other family members are very worried.

As you know, her conservatorship had doctors, specialists and a team to make sure her day-to-day ran smoothly ... that's all gone now. She's alone in her house.

It's unclear who will step up and help Britney, as we're told she just isn't capable of handling things on her own, but it will need to happen soon.

As for her book -- set to drop in October -- Britney signed off on the final copy a few weeks ago, and it's still set to release ... but obviously, won't include the split drama.

TMZ broke the story, Britney and Sam split after just 14 months of marriage, and he filed divorce docs just hours after we published. Sources tell us Sam moved out last week after a blowout fight where he accused Britney of cheating -- though we don't know the validity of those accusations.

Sam's currently living on his own, away from Britney ... and that's what scares her loved ones the most.

We covered the story on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

Joe Mixon will head into the 2023 NFL season with his road rage case in the rearview mirror ... the Bengals running back was just found not guilty on Thursday morning.

The tailback had been in court on trial in the case since the start of the week ... and after four days of back-and-forth between prosecutors and Mixon's attorneys -- a judge found him not guilty of misdemeanor aggravated menacing.

Mixon -- wearing a light-colored suit and navy blue tie -- did not take the stand during Thursday's proceedings. He appeared relieved after the judge's ruling was announced.

Joe did not speak with reporters after court ... directing media members to speak with his attorneys instead. One of the lawyers said outside of the courtroom, "We thought it came out the way it should have."

The 27-year-old football player was initially charged in the case back in February ... after a 43-year-old woman alleged he had pulled a gun on her on Jan. 21 and threatened to shoot her over a dispute the two had been having on a roadway in Cincinnati.

The charge was at first dismissed just a couple days after it was filed ... but the case was reopened on April 7 after investigators said they found "new evidence." Mixon pled not guilty to the charge less than two weeks later on April 19.

Mixon is expected to have a huge role for the Bengals this year ... after the team parted ways with his primary backup, Samaje Perine, in the offseason. It's unclear if he's still facing punishment over the criminal case from the NFL despite Thursday's ruling.

A California man caught on a viral TikTok sniffing women's butts at a Barnes & Noble was arrested last week ... but he's already back on the streets despite a lengthy criminal record.

The disturbing clip made the rounds online last week -- the man, who law enforcement sources believe is 36-year-old Calese Carron Crowder, is seen going up to women from behind and allegedly smelling them.

According to online records, Crowder was arrested last week for what appears to be a separate, misdemeanor incident in Glendale. He was released a few days later.

What's shocking is that records show Crowder has a very long list of arrests over the years, but was let go relatively quickly after the August arrest.

Michael Oher knew the Tuohy family were his "legal conservators" in 2011, despite claiming in legal docs that he just became aware this February ... and the proof is in the former NFL star's own book.

Oher wrote "I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond" -- a memoir that was released in 2011 -- and specifically talked about the legal relationship he had with the family.

"It kind of felt like a formality, as I'd been a part of the family for more than a year at that point. Since I was already over the age of eighteen and considered an adult by the state of Tennessee, Sean and Leigh Anne would be named as my 'legal conservators,'" Oher said.

Michael continued ... "They explained to me that it means pretty much the exact same thing as 'adoptive parents,' but that the laws were just written in a way that took my age into account. Honestly, I didn't care what it was called. I was just happy that no one could argue that we weren't legally what we already knew was real: We were a family."

Of course, it seemingly puts a hole in Oher's story. Just this week he claimed in legal documents filed in Tennessee that he only found out about the conservatorship in early 2023 ... a move his attorney alleges the Tuohy's pulled to gain "total control over Michael Oher's ability to negotiate for or enter any contract."

His beef with Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy centers around money he claims they earned from the hit movie, "The Blind Side" ... of which he says he got nothing.

However, the Tuohy's issued a statement refuting Oher's claims across the board -- forcefully denying they got rich from the film, and saying they never misled Michael about the conservatorship.

Oher's attorney asked for an accounting of money the family made through contracts negotiated on his behalf ... in what appeared to be a precursor to a lawsuit.

It'll be interesting to see what happens now that the book has resurfaced, since Oher clearly knew of the conservatorship.

Britney Spears is quickly embracing her newly single life, spotted cruising around without her wedding ring.

Britney was in her Mercedes on Wednesday wearing a pair of sunglasses … but most importantly, sporting a naked ring finger.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen her without a ring on, but this time is obviously more significant.

TMZ broke the story, Sam moved out last week after a blowout fight. Our sources say he accused Britney of cheating — though we haven’t confirmed whether or not that actually happened — and things escalated from there.

While neither has filed for divorce, we’re told it’s imminent.

Britney Spears and her husband, Sam Asghari have separated after a nuclear argument that involves allegations of cheating ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... about a week ago, Sam confronted Britney over rumors she stepped out on him. We do not know if the rumor has any basis in fact, but we're told Sam believed it and the 2 had a huge fight.

Our sources say Sam has moved out of their house and is now living in a place of his own. As one source put it, "It's only a matter of time before Sam files for divorce."

TMZ broke the story, there's been "deep trouble" with the couple's union for months ... Sam wasn't sleeping at the house much, and we're told Britney has gotten physical with him in blowout fights that include frequent screaming matches.

As we reported, Britney has a prenup which protects her assets, but one insider tells TMZ, the likely end to the marriage will be a check from Britney to Sam that will settle things, at least financially.

If you've been following Britney's journey post-conservatorship, the writing's been on the wall. At times, Britney's behavior has been erratic, and we're told Sam was over it.

Sam has publicly defended Britney from critics, but privately we're told he was frustrated ... at wits' end.

Sam and Britney started dating back in 2016, when he got a gig in one of her music videos. Since then, they've been practically inseparable.

Amid the #FreeBritney movement, Sam often expressed support for Brit's fans ... she shared plans of marrying him and starting a family. He even posed in a Free Britney t-shirt, which he posted to his Instagram.

Britney was ecstatic when Sam popped the question in September 2021 ... sharing pics and video of her ring and happiness with her fans on social media.

Eventually, Sam and Britney said their "I Dos" and tied the knot in a small private ceremony at their Thousand Oaks home -- not without drama, courtesy of one of her exes. Still, the ceremony itself seemed to go off without a hitch ... and they appeared happy.

While divorce docs haven't been filed yet, we're told that should happen sooner rather than later.

NeNe Leakes is being taken to court over her shop, Swagg Boutique ... her former landlord says she owes a bunch of dough in unpaid rent.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, NeNe's being sued by her landlord at Sugarloaf Mills -- the shopping center where her women's clothing store once stood. The landlord says Leakes first signed a lease agreement back in 2017 and then extended it for another year in 2021.

However, the landlord claims she vacated in January 2022, when the term ended, but never paid off the balance of $22,900 owed under the lease.

The landlord allegedly sent NeNe a letter last month, telling her to pay up to avoid any legal woes -- but says she never ponied up the money.

So now NeNe is being dragged to court ... and the landlord wants damages to cover the back rent plus its attorney's fees.

For those unaware, the 'RHOA' star's Swagg Boutique stores shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic ... and it reportedly wasn't long after finally reopening that she began holding "going out of business" sales at her multiple locations.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, one of the best young players in the NFL, is seeking court-ordered protection from a woman he claims is harassing him and his mother.

Ja'Marr beelined it to court Tuesday to file for a temporary restraining order against a woman named Ambar Hunter, who he claims he had a one-night stand with.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Ja'Marr claims Ambar is behind an "unhinged and disturbing" pattern of harassment aimed at him and his mother ... claiming she started threatening them after he refused to continue their relationship after a single night of romance.

Ja'Marr says he hooked up with Ambar way back in July 2021, and she's since tried to damage his brand, reputation and corporate sponsorships through "calculated and ongoing harassment."

The NFL All-Pro says Ambar mainly harasses him on social media, where she posts false statements about him being a deadbeat dad in order to sic her 18,000 followers on him and his mom.

Ja'Marr says they do not have a child together, as Ambar claims, and says she posts photos of another person's child to make it seem like they have a kid. Ja'Marr says she's refused to subject the kid to a DNA test.

What's more, Ja'Marr claims Ambar is spinning a web of lies about being a victim of domestic violence ... he says no law enforcement agency has found her to be credible.

Ja'Marr says Ambar is still ranting about him on social media as recently as this past July ... even going so far as to post his and his mother's personal cell phone numbers on Instagram, which he says led to tons of harassing calls and texts.

In the docs, Ja'Marr slams Ambar for what he says is an "ongoing harassment scheme" to harm him and negatively impact his NFL career ... and he's asking a judge to sign off on a temporary restraining order.

Todd Chrisley isn't irked at all by his family starting a new reality series while he's locked up in prison -- in fact, he thinks it's a fantastic idea.

Jay Surgent, Todd's attorney, tells TMZ ... the reality star is "thrilled and happy" members of his family are launching the new show, and hopes it'll depict the devastation his family has been facing since he and Julie were sent to prison at the beginning of this year.

Translation: It's all good, as long as no one's smiling! Less joy, more pain.

We're told Todd will not be a part of the show, but their kids Chase, Savannah, Grayson, and adopted daughter, Chloe -- as well as Todd's mom, Nanny Faye -- are all reportedly starring in the new series, picking up after Todd and Julie started doing their time.

TMZ broke the story, Todd claims he's been severely mistreated while locked up at FPC Pensacola -- allegedly dealing with things like photos being taken of him while sleeping, his mail not being delivered to him and no AC in Florida's summer conditions.

What's more, Todd's now telling Jay he has no way of contacting him from inside prison -- Jay's allegedly blocked from Todd's mail, phone and email lists, but the attorney has no clue why ... and says he can't get answers from prison administration.

For what it's worth, we're told Jay is able to set up appointments to speak with Todd, through the help of Todd's prison counselor.