Family law attorney Holly Davis of Austin-based Kirker Davis LLP broke down the potential reasons why Bijou Phillips separated from Danny Masterson after his conviction. In September 2023, Phillips filed for divorce from Masterson after he was convicted of raping two women. According to Davis, it’s not uncommon for couples to part ways amid legal issues, often driven by various factors, with asset considerations playing a significant role. Davis explained, “In a divorce, Danny and Bijou are going to divide their estate and once the divorce is finalized, certain bank accounts, real estate, and other assets are going to be Bijou’s separate property.” she added that “any future lawsuits against Danny won’t be able to look to joint assets for payment, because Bijou will no longer be married to Danny.” Once the divorce is finalized, Phillips will have sole ownership of her assets, eliminating any involvement in potential future legal matters concerning Masterson.
In addition, Davis believes Phillips’ decision to divorce Masterson shortly after his sentencing could potentially have been “strategic.” She shared, “It is possible that they decided to postpone any divorce lawsuit until the jury trial had been resolved and he had been sentenced. In this instance, Bijou would have the option to delay divorce proceedings if she thought it might be a benefit to his jury trial.” Instead of becoming a possible witness or distraction in the trial, the lawyer explained the possibility that Phillips chose to delay the divorce from Masterson.
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If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
