The Full Timeline: 5 Shocking Details About When Kelly Clarkson’s Divorce Was Finalized And The Massive Settlement That Ended In January 2024

Kelly Clarkson’s tumultuous divorce from her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, officially concluded in March 2022, marking the end of a nearly two-year legal battle that began with her filing in June 2020. As of today, December 11, 2025, the financial details of the settlement—specifically the hefty spousal support payments—are no longer active, having reached their court-ordered expiration date in January 2024. The finalization of the divorce, which Kelly Clarkson has publicly referred to as "the worst thing ever," was a watershed moment that profoundly influenced her career, her music, and her decision to move *The Kelly Clarkson Show* to New York City.

The high-profile separation involved complex issues, including a multi-million-dollar Montana ranch, a dispute over primary custody of their two children, and significant financial obligations. This article breaks down the complete timeline, the shocking settlement details, and the lasting impact the divorce has had on the global superstar.

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock: A Relationship and Divorce Profile

Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol, and Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and the son of her former manager Narvel Blackstock, began their relationship after meeting at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2006.

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• Kelly Clarkson Born: April 24, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas.
• Brandon Blackstock Born: December 16, 1976.
• First Met: 2006 (at the ACM Awards).
• Began Dating: 2012.
• Engagement: December 2012.
• Marriage Date: October 20, 2013, at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee.
• Children Together: River Rose Blackstock (born 2014) and Remington Alexander Blackstock (born 2016).
• Stepchildren: Savannah and Seth (from Brandon Blackstock’s previous marriage).
• Divorce Filing Date: June 4, 2020, citing "irreconcilable differences."
• Divorce Finalization Date: March 9, 2022.

The Definitive Divorce Timeline: From Filing to Final Judgment

The journey from filing for divorce to its finalization was protracted and often contentious, lasting nearly two years. The length of the battle was largely due to disputes over their shared assets, particularly their Montana ranch, and the custody of their young children.

2020: The Start of the Legal Battle

In June 2020, Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce, shocking fans who had seen their family life documented on social media and on her talk show. The filing cited irreconcilable differences.

The initial months were marked by the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the family quarantined together at their Montana property. This period reportedly exacerbated the marital issues.

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In November 2020, a major victory for Clarkson occurred when a judge granted her primary physical custody of their two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander, establishing their permanent residence in Los Angeles. This was a critical step, as it anchored the children’s lives in the city where Clarkson’s career was based.

2021: Asset Disputes and the Montana Ranch

The year 2021 was dominated by the fight over their shared assets, most notably the $10.4 million ranch in Montana. Brandon Blackstock reportedly wanted to leave the entertainment industry and become a full-time rancher, remaining at the property even after the separation.

Clarkson fought to retain the ranch, arguing it was purchased with her own funds. In October 2021, a judge upheld the prenuptial agreement, ruling that the Montana ranch belonged to Kelly Clarkson. This was a huge win, though the court allowed Blackstock to reside there temporarily under the condition he pay rent to Clarkson.

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2022: Finalization and the Massive Settlement

The divorce was officially finalized in March 2022. The settlement details were staggering, reflecting the complexity of dividing a high-net-worth estate after a long marriage.

Kelly Clarkson was ordered to pay Brandon Blackstock a one-time, tax-free lump sum of $1,326,161.

Furthermore, she was ordered to pay a substantial amount of monthly spousal support: $115,000 per month.

The Financial Fallout: When Kelly Clarkson’s Spousal Support Payments Ended

The $115,000 monthly payment was one of the most talked-about aspects of the settlement, but it was not permanent. The court-ordered agreement stipulated a clear end date, which has now passed, making this a crucial, up-to-date detail.

The January 2024 End Date

The spousal support payments of $115,000 were set to continue only until January 31, 2024. This means that as of the beginning of 2024, Kelly Clarkson is no longer legally obligated to make these monthly payments to her ex-husband.

The total amount paid in spousal support over the nearly two-year period from the finalization until the end date amounted to millions of dollars, in addition to the $1.3 million lump sum.

In addition to spousal support, Clarkson was also required to pay $45,601 per month in child support for their two children. This payment, unlike the spousal support, is tied to the children’s well-being and continues as long as the court order dictates.

Custody and The Montana Ranch Resolution

The final custody agreement granted Clarkson primary physical custody in Los Angeles. Blackstock received one weekend a month for visitation, with the children traveling to him in Montana, and they share joint legal custody. This arrangement prioritized the children’s stability in Los Angeles.

As for the contentious Montana ranch, Kelly Clarkson officially retained ownership. Brandon Blackstock was required to vacate the property by June (following the finalization) and was ordered to pay $2,000 a month in rent until he moved out.

The Post-Divorce Era: Music, Shows, and a New York Move

The emotional and legal ordeal of the divorce became the defining catalyst for Kelly Clarkson’s career and personal life in the years that followed.

The *Chemistry* Album

In 2023, Clarkson released her tenth studio album, Chemistry. While she has stated it is not strictly a "divorce album," she confirmed that it was heavily inspired by the entire rollercoaster of emotions she experienced throughout the relationship and its eventual breakdown.

The album is a raw, therapeutic exploration of love, loss, and betrayal, featuring tracks that directly address the pain of her separation, offering a powerful, vulnerable look into her private life.

The Move to New York City

In a major professional and personal shift, Kelly Clarkson relocated *The Kelly Clarkson Show* from Los Angeles to New York City for its fifth season. This decision, made after the divorce was finalized, was directly influenced by her desire for a fresh start and a better environment for her children.

Clarkson publicly explained that she "never really liked living in L.A." and that the move was a necessary step for her mental health and to be closer to family and friends on the East Coast. The move symbolized her complete break from the past and a renewed focus on her family’s well-being.

The divorce was a difficult chapter, with Clarkson admitting it "destroyed her" and that she felt "single" even while married. However, the finalization in March 2022 and the subsequent changes—the end of spousal support payments in January 2024, the primary custody win, and the move to NYC—have allowed the singer to fully embrace her new, independent life.