Glendon 'Teddy' Campbell filed for divorce from Mary Mary gospel star Tina Campbell on Monday, April 13, 2026 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences after nearly 26 years of marriage, according to Essence. Court documents show the couple separated in June 2024 — a 22-month gap that triggers California's long-term marriage rules under Cal. Fam. Code § 4336, potentially entitling Tina to indefinite spousal support jurisdiction.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Glendon 'Teddy' Campbell filed for divorce from Tina Campbell |
| When filed | Monday, April 13, 2026 |
| Where | Los Angeles County Superior Court, California |
| Marriage length | Nearly 26 years (qualifies as long-term under § 4336) |
| Date of separation | June 2024 (22 months before filing) |
| Children | 5 total, including 3 minors |
| Custody request | Visitation only (Teddy not seeking physical custody) |
| Spousal support | Deferred — to be determined |
| Grounds | Irreconcilable differences (Cal. Fam. Code § 2310) |
Why this matters legally
This filing tees up three of the most contested issues in California family law: date of separation, long-term marriage spousal support, and community property division across a nearly 26-year accumulation of assets. California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning Cal. Fam. Code § 2310 allows either spouse to dissolve the marriage based solely on irreconcilable differences — no proof of wrongdoing required. The court will accept that standard without further inquiry.
The 22-month gap between the couple's June 2024 separation and the April 13, 2026 filing is legally significant, not personally so. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 70 — enacted in 2017 after the California Supreme Court's decision in In re Marriage of Davis (2015) 61 Cal.4th 846 — the date of separation is the date when one spouse expressed an intent to end the marriage AND acted consistently with that intent. Earnings, retirement contributions, and business income earned after that date generally become separate property under Cal. Fam. Code § 771.
How California law handles this
California courts will apply community property rules under Cal. Fam. Code § 760, which divides all property acquired during marriage equally — a strict 50/50 split, not the equitable distribution used in 41 other states. For the Campbells, that means royalties, touring income, publishing rights, and real estate acquired between their 2000 marriage and June 2024 separation are presumptively community property.
The 10-year threshold under Cal. Fam. Code § 4336 is the pivotal spousal support statute here. When a marriage exceeds 10 years, California courts retain indefinite jurisdiction over spousal support — meaning the court never loses the power to order, modify, or extend support. At nearly 26 years, the Campbell marriage is more than 2.5 times that threshold. Courts applying Cal. Fam. Code § 4320 weigh 14 specific factors including the marital standard of living, each spouse's earning capacity, contributions to the other's career, and duration of the marriage.
On custody, Cal. Fam. Code § 3040 establishes no preference for either parent based on gender and directs courts to order custody arrangements serving the best interest of the child under Cal. Fam. Code § 3011. Teddy's decision to request visitation rather than joint physical custody is a procedural choice — not a legal forfeiture. California courts generally favor frequent and continuing contact with both parents per Cal. Fam. Code § 3020, and visitation schedules can range from alternating weekends to substantial midweek time depending on the parenting plan submitted.
Practical takeaways for California residents
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Document your date of separation immediately. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 70, the date requires both subjective intent and objective conduct — separate bedrooms, changed finances, or a written statement to your spouse. Waiting nearly two years to file, as in the Campbell case, creates a 22-month evidentiary window that courts must reconstruct.
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Calculate whether your marriage crosses the 10-year line before filing. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4336, a marriage of 10 years or more triggers permanent spousal support jurisdiction. The difference between a 9-year-11-month marriage and a 10-year-1-month marriage can mean the difference between a terminable support order and lifetime court oversight.
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Understand that requesting visitation does not waive custody rights. California's Family Code § 3087 allows modification of custody orders whenever circumstances change materially. A parent who initially requests visitation can later seek joint custody if the arrangement proves workable.
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Deferring spousal support in the petition does not waive it. Under California Rules of Court Rule 5.260, temporary support can be requested at any time before judgment via a Request for Order (Form FL-300). Reserving the issue, as Teddy did, simply preserves flexibility.
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Separate property protections kick in automatically on the date of separation. Any income Tina earned from Mary Mary tours, album royalties, or appearances after June 2024 belongs to her alone under Cal. Fam. Code § 771 — but she must be prepared to prove the post-separation timing with bank records, 1099s, and contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as the date of separation in California?
Under Cal. Fam. Code § 70, the date of separation is when one spouse communicates an intent to end the marriage AND their conduct is consistent with that intent. Courts examine evidence like separate residences, separate finances, or a written declaration. The statute was enacted in 2017 to overrule the physical-separation requirement from In re Marriage of Davis (2015).
How long does a California divorce take after filing?
California imposes a mandatory 6-month waiting period under Cal. Fam. Code § 2339 — meaning no divorce can be finalized before 6 months and 1 day after the respondent is served. Complex cases involving custody, substantial assets, or contested spousal support typically take 12 to 24 months, even with cooperative parties.
Does a 26-year marriage guarantee lifetime spousal support in California?
No. A marriage over 10 years under Cal. Fam. Code § 4336 gives courts indefinite jurisdiction to award support, but does not mandate it. Judges apply the 14-factor analysis in Cal. Fam. Code § 4320, including each spouse's earning capacity and self-sufficiency goals. Support can be reduced or terminated if circumstances change materially.
Can a parent request visitation instead of custody in California?
Yes. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3040, parents can request any custody arrangement, including visitation only. California recognizes legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (residence) as separate issues. A parent with visitation rights typically still holds joint legal custody unless the court orders otherwise under Cal. Fam. Code § 3003.
How is income earned after separation treated in California?
Earnings accrued after the date of separation are separate property under Cal. Fam. Code § 771, owned exclusively by the earning spouse. This includes wages, royalties, bonuses, and business income. The 22-month gap between the Campbells' June 2024 separation and April 13, 2026 filing represents a substantial window of potentially separate earnings.
Getting help with a California divorce
If you are considering divorce in California — particularly after a long-term marriage — speak with a qualified California family law attorney before filing. Issues like date of separation, long-term marriage support jurisdiction, and community property tracing require evidentiary records that are easier to gather early. You can find exclusive California divorce attorneys serving your county through divorce.law's attorney 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.