Kelly Clarkson’s former husband reportedly requested $301,000 monthly in spousal support during their divorce. That amount was a proposal, not a court award.
The judge ordered lower temporary payments, and the final settlement reduced spousal support again. Later events also changed the family context surrounding the dispute.
Kelly Clarkson Shared Marriage and Management
Kelly Clarkson married talent manager Brandon Blackstock in 2013. They had two children, River Rose and Remington, while Blackstock had two older children from a previous marriage. Blackstock also managed parts of Clarkson’s career. That overlap made the separation more complicated because the couple had to untangle parenting, property, support and a professional relationship at the same time.
Kelly Clarkson Filed for Divorce
Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce in Los Angeles in June 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The case developed into disputes over custody, property and support. Clarkson was declared legally single in 2021 before every financial issue was settled. That procedure ended the marriage while negotiations continued. Court filings establish the timeline, but they do not reveal every private reason for the separation.
Kelly Clarkson Disputed the Requested Amount
Reports said Brandon Blackstock sought $301,000 per month in spousal support and $135,000 in child support, for a combined request of about $436,000. Headlines often repeated the spousal figure without explaining that it was only a demand. Clarkson’s higher income influenced the case, but it did not guarantee the full amount. A court, not either former spouse, determined the temporary obligation.
Kelly Clarkson Received a Lower Order
In July 2021, a judge ordered Kelly Clarkson to pay $150,000 monthly in temporary spousal support and $45,601 in child support. The combined amount was substantial but remained below half of Blackstock’s reported total request. Temporary support operates while a divorce is unresolved and does not determine the final settlement. The ruling therefore reduced the requested figure without eliminating Clarkson’s financial obligation.
Kelly Clarkson Secured Primary Custody
Kelly Clarkson received primary physical custody of River and Remington, while both parents retained joint legal custody. The children’s main home remained in Los Angeles. Clarkson also retained ownership of the Montana ranch under the couple’s prenuptial agreement, while Blackstock lived there temporarily. These arrangements reflected schooling, work and geography rather than a simple public contest between the former spouses.
Kelly Clarkson Finalized the Settlement
The 2022 settlement required Kelly Clarkson to make a one-time payment exceeding $1.3 million and pay $115,000 monthly in spousal support until January 2024. She also paid $45,601 monthly in child support. The final spousal figure was lower than both the original request and temporary order, and it had a fixed end date. Clarkson retained property protected by the prenuptial agreement.
Kelly Clarkson Prioritized Family After Loss
Brandon Blackstock died from cancer in August 2025 at age 48, according to his family. Shortly before the announcement, Kelly Clarkson postponed performances and said she needed to be present for their children while their father was ill. His death changed the context of the old financial dispute. Accurate coverage can explain the court figures without reducing a parent’s life to a divorce demand.
Featured Image: By vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England – Kelly Clarkson on Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20518934
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