Kristin Cavallari revealed on the July 8, 2026 episode of the podcast 'Aspire with Emma Grede' that she received 'no money' from ex-husband Jay Cutler in their 2022 Tennessee divorce and had to buy out his share of her brand Uncommon James with cash and property. Under Tennessee's equitable-distribution statute, Tenn. Code § 36-4-121, a business grown during marriage is marital property subject to division — which is why a payout to a departing spouse is legally routine, not unusual.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Cavallari said she paid Cutler roughly half the value of her company, Uncommon James, and received 'no money' from him; Cutler called the account 'borderline slander' |
| When | Statement made July 8, 2026 podcast episode; divorce finalized 2022 |
| Where | Tennessee (couple lived near Nashville) |
| Who's affected | Kristin Cavallari, Jay Cutler, their three shared children |
| Key statute | Tenn. Code § 36-4-121 (equitable distribution); § 36-6-106 (custody/best interest) |
| Impact | Illustrates how Tennessee treats a spouse-owned business as divisible marital property |
According to E! News, Cavallari founded Uncommon James in 2017, during the marriage, and its growth over the following years is exactly the kind of asset Tennessee courts scrutinize. Cutler, a former NFL quarterback, disputed her framing, telling followers that no Tennessee judge would have let him walk away with all his own money — a claim that, on the law, is essentially correct.
Why this matters legally
A business started during a marriage is marital property in Tennessee, even when only one spouse runs it. Under Tenn. Code § 36-4-121, all property acquired between the wedding and the final divorce decree is presumptively marital and subject to 'equitable' — meaning fair, not necessarily equal — division. Cavallari launched Uncommon James in 2017, three years into the marriage, so the enterprise value the couple built together is divisible regardless of whose name is on the paperwork.
That is the core legal reality behind the headline. When one spouse keeps a marital business, courts routinely offset the other spouse's share with cash, property, or a buyout — precisely what Cavallari described. This is not a penalty; it is how equitable distribution balances the ledger when an asset cannot be physically split. If Cavallari kept 100% of the company, she would generally owe Cutler roughly half of its marital value in other forms, which can look like 'getting no money' while actually reflecting a fair division.
How Tennessee law handles this
Tennessee is an equitable-distribution state, not a community-property (50/50) state. Tenn. Code § 36-4-121(c) lists the factors a judge weighs, including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's contribution to acquiring and preserving assets, the economic circumstances of each party, and the contribution of a spouse as homemaker or parent. A stay-at-home or supporting spouse can receive a share of a business he or she never operated, because indirect contributions count.
For a private company like Uncommon James, the fight is usually over valuation, not entitlement. Tennessee courts value the marital portion of a business as of a date near the final hearing, often using experts to weigh assets, earnings, and goodwill. Only the value that accrued during the marriage is marital; a portion tied to one spouse's separate pre-marital contribution may be carved out under Tenn. Code § 36-4-121(b). Because divorce is no-fault available in Tennessee, the property division turns on these financial factors, not on who 'caused' the split. Readers weighing similar issues can review the broader divorce process to understand where valuation fits.
Cavallari also revealed the couple no longer shares equal parenting time — she now has primary residential responsibility for their three children. Under Tenn. Code § 36-6-106, parenting arrangements are governed by the child's best interest, and Tennessee routinely allows post-divorce modification when circumstances change. A shift from 50/50 to a primary-parent schedule is a common, court-sanctioned adjustment, not evidence of wrongdoing. Support obligations can follow that change; parents facing similar shifts can read about child support modification.
Practical takeaways
- Treat any business built during your marriage as marital property. If you launched a company after the wedding, expect its marital value to be divisible under Tenn. Code § 36-4-121, even if only your name is on the LLC.
- Budget for a buyout, not a windfall. Keeping a business often means paying your spouse cash or property equal to their share — so 'keeping everything' and 'getting no money' can both be true at once.
- Get an independent valuation early. For a private brand, hire a business-valuation expert before negotiating; disputes over goodwill and earnings drive most of the disagreement.
- Document separate vs. marital contributions. Pre-marital capital, inheritances, or gifts kept separate may be carved out — but only if you can trace them.
- Expect custody to evolve. A 50/50 schedule can shift to a primary-parent arrangement under Tenn. Code § 36-6-106 when the best-interest analysis supports it. Map out your options with a personalized divorce roadmap.
- Estimate your exposure before you file. Tools like our divorce cost estimator and divorce timeline calculator help you plan realistically.
If you own a business or share significant assets and are considering divorce in Tennessee, an experienced family-law attorney can help you value what is truly marital and structure a division that protects your interests. You can find a divorce attorney in your county to talk through your options.
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.