Kelly Clarkson and ex Brandon Blackstock reach settlement in bitter divorce

Kelly Clarkson has finally reached a settlement in her bitter divorce battle with husband Brandon Blackstock.

According to TMZ, a Los Angeles Superior Court signed off on the terms of the divorce settlement, of which arguably favoured the singer and talk-show host.

Clarkson, 39, has been granted primary custody of the couple's two children — daughter River, seven, and son Remington, five — while Blackstock will have the kids one weekend a month. 

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The American Idol alum Clarkson also gets to keep their ranch in Montana, where her ex currently resides. Blackstone — a talent manager who once managed Clarkson — has been living at the estate since their split in June 2020.

As per their divorce settlement, Blackstock, 45, can remain at the property until June 1 but must pay US$12,500 (approx. $17,000) a month for rent in the meantime. 

The couple had been at loggerheads over their prenuptial agreement, with Blackstock reportedly challenging the legal document, arguing the Montana ranch — worth an estimated $17,750,000 (approx. $24.5 million) — was marital property and not part of their prenup. 

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In another win for Clarkson, the judge said she can keep most of her earnings, which is reportedly US$20 million (approx. $27 million) per year.

She does, however, need to pay  Blackstock spousal support to the tune of US$115,000 (approx. $158,000) a month, but that payment is scheduled to end in January 2024.

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Blackstock also gets US$45,600 (approx. $62,000) a month in child support. Clarkson has also agreed to pay him US$1.3 million (approx. $1.8 million) as part of the settlement.

The former couple married in 2013 and filed for divorce in June 2020, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the breakup.