Reality television star and entrepreneur Kandi Burruss finalized her divorce from Todd Tucker on March 24, 2026, in Fulton County Superior Court after 11 years of marriage. The settlement includes a $426,388.77 lump-sum payment from Burruss to Tucker, joint legal and physical custody split 50-50, zero spousal support, zero child support, and a media clause barring either parent from filming or authorizing their children in any media without written consent — a provision with real implications for any Georgia parent navigating custody in the age of social media and reality TV.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Fulton County Superior Court signed the Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce for Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker |
| When | March 24, 2026 |
| Where | Fulton County, Georgia |
| Lump-sum payment | $426,388.77 from Burruss to Tucker |
| Custody arrangement | Joint legal and physical custody, 50-50 parenting time |
| Support obligations | Zero spousal support (alimony) and zero child support |
| Notable provision | Media clause requiring written consent before children appear in any filming or media |
Why This Settlement Matters for Georgia Divorce Law
This case is a textbook example of how Georgia handles high-net-worth divorces when both parties reach a negotiated settlement rather than going to trial. Three elements stand out as legally significant for anyone divorcing in Georgia.
First, the lump-sum payment. Georgia recognizes two broad categories of property division: equitable division of marital assets under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13 and lump-sum alimony under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1. A lump-sum payment of $426,388.77 can function as either an equalizing payment in property division or as a one-time alimony award. The distinction matters because property division is final and non-modifiable once the decree is entered, while periodic alimony can sometimes be revisited. Based on the reporting from TMZ, this payment appears to be a clean-break property settlement — one check, no ongoing obligations.
Second, the zero-support structure. Georgia courts can award alimony under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1 based on factors including the standard of living during the marriage, duration of the marriage (11 years here), and each spouse's earning capacity. When both parties are financially independent and agree to waive support, Georgia judges will honor that agreement. The absence of child support alongside a 50-50 custody split suggests roughly equal parenting time and comparable financial ability to provide for the children — a structure Georgia courts calculate using the Income Shares Model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15.
Third, the media clause. Georgia custody law centers on the best interest of the child standard under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(a)(3). While media clauses are not codified in Georgia statutes, Fulton County judges routinely approve negotiated parenting plan provisions that protect children from public exposure. For reality TV personalities, this type of clause has become increasingly common in Georgia settlements over the past decade.
How Georgia Law Handles These Issues
Georgia is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13, judges divide marital property based on what is fair — not necessarily 50-50. Factors include each spouse's contribution to the marriage, the length of the marriage, and each party's economic circumstances. In an 11-year marriage where one spouse has substantially higher earnings, a lump-sum equalization payment is a common resolution.
For custody, Georgia updated its custody statutes significantly with the passage of Senate Bill 158 in 2018, which added 17 specific factors courts must consider under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(a)(3). Joint legal custody — where both parents share decision-making authority over education, healthcare, and religion — is the most common arrangement in Fulton County. True 50-50 physical custody, while increasingly awarded, still requires both parents to live in geographic proximity and demonstrate cooperative co-parenting ability.
Regarding the child support calculation, Georgia uses the Income Shares Model codified at O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The model considers both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, health insurance costs, and the parenting time split. When parents share custody equally and have comparable incomes, the child support obligation can calculate to zero or near-zero. The Georgia Child Support Commission publishes worksheets and guidelines that attorneys use to run these calculations, and judges will approve a zero-support agreement when the math supports it.
Practical Takeaways for Georgia Residents
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Lump-sum settlements provide finality. If you and your spouse can agree on a single payment rather than ongoing alimony, you eliminate future modification disputes entirely. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-19, lump-sum alimony is non-modifiable once the court enters the final decree.
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A 50-50 custody arrangement requires planning, not just agreement. Georgia courts will scrutinize whether equal parenting time actually serves the children's best interests. You will need a detailed parenting plan that addresses school schedules, holidays, transportation, and decision-making authority.
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Media and social media clauses belong in every modern parenting plan. You do not need to be a reality TV star for this to matter. Georgia judges have broad discretion to include provisions protecting children from harmful publicity or unwanted online exposure. If your co-parent posts about your children on social media in ways you find objectionable, a specific clause in your parenting plan gives you enforceable legal grounds.
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Zero child support is possible but must be justified. Georgia courts will not rubber-stamp a zero-support agreement without reviewing the Income Shares worksheet. Both parents must demonstrate sufficient income and resources to meet the children's needs independently.
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Settling out of court saves money and privacy. The Burruss-Tucker settlement was negotiated privately and only became public through court filings. Georgia trials are open to the public, and in Fulton County, contested divorces can take 12 to 18 months to reach a trial date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Georgia courts award zero child support in a 50-50 custody arrangement?
Yes. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, Georgia calculates child support using the Income Shares Model, which factors in both parents' gross incomes and parenting time percentages. When parents share custody equally and have comparable incomes, the calculated obligation can be zero. The court must still review and approve the worksheet before entering the order.
Is a lump-sum divorce payment considered alimony or property division in Georgia?
It depends on how the settlement agreement characterizes it. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1, lump-sum alimony is a one-time payment that is non-modifiable and non-taxable to the recipient under current federal tax law (post-2019 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). If structured as equitable property division under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13, it is similarly final. The characterization affects tax treatment and modifiability.
Are media clauses in custody agreements enforceable in Georgia?
Georgia courts enforce parenting plan provisions that serve the best interest of the child under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. A media clause requiring written consent before a child appears in filming, advertising, or social media is enforceable as part of the final decree. Violation can result in contempt of court proceedings, which carry penalties including fines and modification of custody.
How long does a contested divorce take in Fulton County, Georgia?
Contested divorces in Fulton County typically take 12 to 18 months from filing to trial. Georgia requires a mandatory 30-day waiting period under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3(a) before a final hearing. Uncontested divorces with a signed settlement agreement, like the Burruss-Tucker case, can be finalized in as few as 31 days after filing.
Can I include a social media clause in my Georgia parenting plan even if I am not a public figure?
Absolutely. Georgia law does not limit parenting plan provisions to public figures. Any parent can request a clause restricting social media posts featuring their children, and Fulton County judges routinely approve such provisions when both parties agree. If your co-parent objects, you can petition the court to include restrictions based on the best interest standard under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(a)(3).
If you are navigating a divorce in Georgia and have questions about custody arrangements, property division, or parenting plan provisions, connect with a qualified family law attorney in your county through our Georgia divorce directory.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.