7 Shocking Facts About Layla's Ex-Husband, Clayton Wessel: The Man Behind The 'Mormon Wives' Divorce

The highly publicized divorce of Layla Taylor from her ex-husband, Clayton Wessel, remains a central and defining storyline for the reality star of *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*. The split, which was finalized in 2023, captivated viewers who followed Layla’s journey as she navigated leaving her faith and becoming a single mother in Utah. As of December 12, 2025, the focus has shifted from the drama of the separation to the complex reality of their co-parenting dynamic and what Clayton’s life looks like away from the camera’s glare. This deep dive reveals the most current, fresh details about the man Layla calls her ex-husband, including his personal biography, the true reasons behind the split, and their ongoing, sometimes tense, co-parenting arrangement.

The public narrative often centers on Layla’s transition, but Clayton Wessel is a key figure who has maintained a relatively private life despite the reality TV exposure. While Layla has been open about her struggles and her new dating life, Clayton has consciously stepped back, leaving many fans curious about his background, career, and current relationship with his former wife and their two young sons. We’ve uncovered the essential facts about the man at the heart of one of reality television’s most discussed divorces.

Clayton Wessel: Complete Biography and Profile

Clayton Wessel is primarily known to the public as the ex-husband of Layla Taylor, a prominent cast member on the Hulu series *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*. The couple’s divorce was a significant plot point on the show, as it coincided with Layla’s decision to leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and her life as a traditional Mormon wife. While he has kept a low profile, public records and Layla’s disclosures provide a clear picture of his life.

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• Full Name: Clayton Wessel
• Known As: Clay Wessel, Layla’s Ex-Husband
• Date of Birth: May 1995 (Approximate)
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 30 years old
• Hometown/Residence: Salem, Utah, U.S.
• Marital Status: Divorced (Finalized 2023)
• Ex-Wife: Layla Taylor (Reality TV Personality, Content Creator)
• Children: Two sons—Oliver “Ollie” Clay Wessel and Maxwell Dean Wessel
• Education/Profession: Maintains a private professional life; details are not publicly disclosed, suggesting a career outside of Layla’s social media and reality TV sphere.
• Religious Affiliation: Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)
• Years Married: Approximately three years (pre-divorce)

The Real Reason Behind the 2023 Divorce Finalization

The split between Layla and Clayton was not a sudden, dramatic event, but rather the culmination of a deteriorating relationship dynamic that Layla has since described in detail. The divorce was officially finalized in 2023, marking the end of their three-year marriage.

Layla shared that a key factor in the breakdown was a pattern of behavior where Clayton would use the threat of divorce as a weapon during arguments. According to Layla, this emotional tactic became a recurring and damaging part of their marriage. When he threatened divorce one final time, Layla called his bluff and agreed to end the relationship, which ultimately led to the official proceedings.

The emotional toll of the marriage, compounded by a lack of emotional support and unaddressed conflicts, created a chasm between the two. The divorce was a complex legal process that resulted in the former couple sharing joint physical and legal custody of their two young sons, Oliver and Maxwell.

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This timeline places their separation firmly within the period of Layla’s growing public profile and her personal reckoning with her faith, which added layers of complexity to the already difficult process. The divorce judgment was officially entered on May 28, 2023, ensuring that both parents remain equally involved in the boys’ lives.

Inside Their Current Co-Parenting Dynamic and the Church Controversy

Layla and Clayton Wessel continue to co-parent their two sons, Oliver “Ollie” Clay and Maxwell Dean, and Layla has publicly stated her commitment to ensuring Clayton remains a very involved father. Their co-parenting relationship, however, has become a point of public interest, particularly due to their differing views on the LDS Church.

A recent and unique update in their co-parenting arrangement involves their sons’ religious upbringing. While Layla Taylor has publicly left the Mormon faith and is no longer an active member of the church, she confirmed that Clayton Wessel still takes their children to church on Sundays.

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This situation highlights the sensitive nature of their post-divorce life. Layla has expressed that despite her personal departure from the religion, she respects Clayton's right to share his faith with their children. She has made it clear that while she is dating and embracing life as a single mother, her priority is finding a partner who would be a good stepfather to her boys, suggesting a forward-looking approach to her personal life while maintaining a stable co-parenting environment with Clayton.

The joint custody agreement means that both Layla and Clayton are actively working to navigate the challenges of raising children with two different household standards—one that is publicly non-religious and one that remains rooted in the traditional Mormon faith. This ongoing balancing act is a fresh and current topic that continues to resonate with fans of *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*.

Clayton Wessel’s Life Away From the Reality TV Spotlight

Unlike Layla, who is a content creator and reality star, Clayton Wessel has made a concerted effort to keep his professional and personal life private. The lack of public details about his career is a deliberate choice, contrasting sharply with his ex-wife's highly visible life on social media and television. This privacy suggests that Clayton’s professional endeavors are outside the realm of public scrutiny and the influencer economy.

We know from public records that Clayton resides in Salem, Utah, which is part of the broader Utah Valley area where many of the show’s cast members live. His age, 30, places him in a different life stage than Layla, who was 24 when the divorce was finalized. This age difference, combined with their differing religious paths, likely contributed to the relational friction that ultimately led to their separation.

Clayton’s commitment to his faith is a defining characteristic that remains public, especially through his continued involvement in the LDS Church with his sons. His role as a devoted father is consistently emphasized in Layla’s interviews, painting a picture of a man who is focused on his children and his private life, rather than capitalizing on the fame associated with reality television.

The story of Layla and Clayton Wessel is a modern example of a high-profile divorce in the digital age, complicated by religion, reality TV, and the challenges of co-parenting. While Layla’s narrative is one of liberation and new beginnings, Clayton's is a quiet chapter of stability and traditional values, ensuring that the saga of their family continues to evolve beyond the initial shock of their split.