On April 13, 2026, Glendon 'Teddy' Campbell filed a divorce petition against his wife of nearly 26 years, Grammy-winning gospel singer Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The petition cites irreconcilable differences and a June 2024 separation date — a gap of roughly 22 months between separation and filing that carries significant legal consequences under California Family Code § 70 and § 771. Two minor children (ages 13 and 16) are at the center of the case, per TheGrio's reporting.
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| What happened | Glendon 'Teddy' Campbell filed for divorce from Tina Campbell |
| When filed | April 13, 2026 |
| Separation date claimed | June 2024 (approximately 22 months before filing) |
| Jurisdiction | Los Angeles County Superior Court, California |
| Marriage length | August 2000 – June 2024 (approximately 24 years of marriage before separation) |
| Children affected | 2 minors (ages 13 and 16); 3 adult children |
| Grounds cited | Irreconcilable differences (no-fault) |
| Key statutes | Cal. Fam. Code § 70, § 760, § 4336 |
Why this matters legally
The June 2024 separation date Teddy Campbell listed is the single most financially consequential line item in the entire petition. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 771, the earnings and accumulations of a spouse while living separate and apart are that spouse's separate property — not community property. Tina Campbell's tour revenue, royalties, and any new business ventures after June 2024 are presumptively hers alone if that date holds.
California's definition of 'date of separation' was tightened by Cal. Fam. Code § 70, enacted in 2017 after the 2015 In re Marriage of Davis decision. The statute now requires two elements: (1) a complete and final break in the marital relationship expressed by one spouse to the other, and (2) conduct consistent with that expression. Simply sleeping in separate bedrooms does not qualify. Because the Campbells filmed reality television together and continued public joint appearances after 2013's infidelity disclosure, expect the actual separation date to be contested if significant post-June 2024 earnings exist.
At nearly 24 years of marriage at separation, this case also crosses the 10-year threshold under Cal. Fam. Code § 4336, which defines marriages of 'long duration' and preserves the court's indefinite jurisdiction over spousal support.
How California law handles this
California applies three legal frameworks that directly shape this case:
1. Community property (50/50 default)
Cal. Fam. Code § 760 defines community property as all property acquired by either spouse during marriage. Cal. Fam. Code § 2550 requires equal division absent written agreement. For the Campbells, this covers Mary Mary tour proceeds, music catalog earnings, book royalties, and television income earned between August 2000 and June 2024. Pre-marriage assets and inheritances remain separate under Cal. Fam. Code § 770.
2. Long-duration spousal support
Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4320, California courts weigh 14 factors to set spousal support, including marital standard of living, earning capacity, and age of the supported spouse. For marriages over 10 years, Cal. Fam. Code § 4336 keeps the court's jurisdiction open indefinitely, meaning support can be modified years after judgment if circumstances change.
3. Custody of minor children
Cal. Fam. Code § 3011 governs the best-interest analysis for the two minor Campbell children. California presumes frequent and continuing contact with both parents under Cal. Fam. Code § 3020. At ages 13 and 16, Cal. Fam. Code § 3042 requires courts to consider children 14 and older's preferences on custody — meaning the 16-year-old's voice carries statutory weight.
Practical takeaways for California spouses
- Document your separation date in writing. Send a dated email or text confirming the marital breakdown. California courts treat contemporaneous written evidence as the strongest proof under Cal. Fam. Code § 70.
- Stop commingling finances the day you separate. Open a new individual bank account. Deposits made after the separation date are presumptively separate property under Cal. Fam. Code § 771.
- Inventory business interests and intellectual property early. Music royalties, book deals, and brand licensing agreements acquired during marriage are community property — but future royalties on pre-separation works may be bifurcated.
- For marriages over 10 years, plan for indefinite support jurisdiction. Cal. Fam. Code § 4336 does not create permanent alimony, but the court retains authority to modify support for the rest of both spouses' lives absent a written waiver.
- Preliminary disclosures are mandatory within 60 days of filing under Cal. Fam. Code § 2104. Failure to disclose community assets can result in 100% forfeiture of the concealed asset to the other spouse under Cal. Fam. Code § 1101.
- If minor children are involved and one is 14 or older, prepare for the court to weigh the child's preference. Judges do not rubber-stamp teen wishes, but they are a statutory factor under Cal. Fam. Code § 3042.
FAQs
How long does a California divorce take when there is a 22-month separation gap?
California imposes a mandatory 6-month waiting period from the date of service under Cal. Fam. Code § 2339 before a divorce becomes final. A 22-month pre-filing separation does not shorten that 6-month clock. Contested custody and property disputes typically extend the total timeline to 12–24 months.
Can Tina Campbell keep tour earnings from after the June 2024 separation date?
Yes, if the June 2024 separation date is upheld by the court. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 771, all earnings a spouse accumulates while living separate and apart are that spouse's separate property. The opposing party can challenge the separation date with evidence of continued economic or marital partnership after June 2024.
What spousal support applies after 24 years of marriage in California?
California has no fixed formula for long-term spousal support. Cal. Fam. Code § 4320 requires courts to weigh 14 factors, including earning capacity and marital standard of living. For marriages over 10 years, Cal. Fam. Code § 4336 preserves indefinite jurisdiction, meaning the court can modify support years later.
Do California kids get to choose which parent they live with?
Children do not choose, but their voices count. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3042, children 14 and older have a statutory right to address the court on custody, and judges must consider their preferences. Younger children may be heard at the court's discretion. The best-interest standard under Cal. Fam. Code § 3011 always controls.
Does past infidelity affect property division in California?
No. California is a pure no-fault state under Cal. Fam. Code § 2310. Adultery, including Teddy Campbell's publicly disclosed 2013 infidelity, has no effect on the 50/50 community property division required by Cal. Fam. Code § 2550. Fault can only matter if marital funds were spent on an affair, under a breach of fiduciary duty theory.
Protecting your interests
Divorces involving long marriages, minor children, and entertainment-industry income streams require early planning around separation dates, fiduciary disclosures, and royalty valuation. If you are navigating a similar situation in California, consulting a qualified family law attorney before filing — or responding — can substantially affect the financial outcome.
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.