Vanderpump Rules star Jax Taylor’s divorce took an unexpected turn when he gave up custody of his son, Cruz, 3, to estranged wife Brittany Cartwright. Keep reading for more details.
Jax Taylor Gives Up Custody Of 3-Year-Old Son, Cruz
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright welcomed their son, Cruz, in April 2021. The addition to their family came two years after they walked down the aisle. Much of the couple’s relationship played out on Vanderpump Rules.
The reality TV couple separated earlier this year after five years of marriage. The tension leading up to their separation played out Season 1 of a new Bravo show, The Valley. The divorce will likely be featured on Season 2 of the show, which is currently filming.
Jax Taylor went to an in-patient clinic in July for help with his mental health. He was home a month later with a diagnosis that didn’t surprise viewers. According to his doctors, the Vanderpump Rules alum suffers from bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Brittany Cartwright officially filed for divorce in August, citing irreconcilable differences. She requested full legal and physical custody of their son, Cruz, with Jax allowed visitation.
In a shocking turn of events, Jax filed paperwork this week giving up custody of his son. The legal documents were posted on a Reddit thread and shared on social media by @BravoBabe.
Checks Box Indicating The Marriage Was Never Legal
The Vanderpump Rules star reportedly filled out and filed the custody paperwork himself without the help of a lawyer. People on the Reddit thread noticed several mistakes, including Brittany’s name written incorrectly and listed the wrong date of separation.
But the biggest error was he checked a box indicating that he was never legally married to Brittany Cartwright.
The custody news had a mixed reaction on Twitter. Some people praised Jax for doing the right thing and giving up custody. One fan wrote, “That’s smart of him. No need to argue in court. Dude needs help.” Another added, “Best thing he could for Cruz. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.”
However, others were disappointed and thought he made the wrong decision. One disappointed fan wrote, “Wait he willingly gave up his son? Doesn’t look good especially since his son has some disabilities. Jax do better.”
Brittany Cartwright revealed in April that Cruz had stopped talking and had other developmental delays.
Another Bravo viewer didn’t mince words. “Wow what a pos … sorry u don’t give up half custody !!! That’s crazy ! Hope they have someone assigned in case Britt gets sick .. dumb a** move on his part,” they wrote about Jax giving up custody.
The 45-year-old represented himself while signing over his rights to Cruz in new court documents obtained.
While requesting a dissolution of their marriage, Taylor also checked a box indicating that he and Cartwright, 35, were never legally married.
Taylor also listed their Los Angeles home as their only asset but requested to divide the property “at a later time.”
He filed in person at the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County in September.
A rep for Taylor and Cartwright did not immediately return our request for comment.
The “Vanderpump Rules” alums tied the knot in June 2019 in a Kentucky ceremony, welcoming their 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢 boy two years later.
Taylor hinted in court docs that he and Cartwright were “never legally married.”In February, the pair revealed their separation, with Cartwright filing for divorce six months later.
Taylor sought mental health treatment last month, later revealing that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD.
The reality star had no idea he was a narcissist.
“I breadcrumb, I love bomb [and also] gaslighting. I’m missing some but I do all these things,” Taylor admitted on an episode of his and Cartwright’s “When Reality Hits” podcast.
“I had no idea there were terms for these things. … So yes, I have to humble myself,” he continued, noting he wanted to “break the cycle” for Cruz.
On Tuesday, Cartwright gave an update on their co-parenting relationship while navigating their split.
“Even if Jax and I are fighting, it’s not going to ever come between Cruz,” Cartwright noted.“We’re OK,” she told E! News. “It is what it is. … Obviously we’re both going to put [Cruz] first. It’s going to be fine no matter what, because we both love him so much.
“Even if Jax and I are fighting, it’s not going to ever come between Cruz,” Cartwright continued. “It’s never going to be a thing.”