Summary of the filing
Nicole Kidman filed for divorce from Keith Urban in a Nashville court, signaling a formal end to a 19‑year marriage that joined two high‑profile figures from film and music. The filing cites marital difficulties and irreconcilable differences, consistent with Tennessee divorce practice for couples seeking a clean dissolution of marriage.
The parenting plan and living arrangements
The documents include a comprehensive permanent parenting plan. It states that Kidman will be the primary residential parent for the couple’s two daughters, aged 17 and 14, with the children in Nashville for 306 days each year and Urban responsible for 59 days. The plan emphasizes a loving, stable, and nurturing environment, and instructs both parents to refrain from speaking ill of the other in front of the children. It also encourages the children to maintain positive relationships with both families.
Interpreting the plan’s practical effect, the children would spend the majority of the year with Kidman, while Urban would retain meaningful time with them. The filings indicate the girls have long resided in Nashville and that the arrangement is designed to preserve continuity in their lives amid the family transition.
Assets and financial considerations
The filings show both parties earn substantial incomes, with each parent reportedly earning more than $100,000 per month. The plan states there will be no need for childcare or spousal support. In terms of asset division, the dissolution plan calls for a roughly equal split of joint assets, with each party retaining assets titled in their own name, including copyrights and royalties tied to their respective works. The documents also suggest the divorce negotiations were well underway prior to filing, with Urban signing the parenting plan on August 29 and Kidman on September 6.
Timeline and legal context
Under Tennessee law, a divorce becomes final only after a minimum waiting period of 90 days. The filings reflect careful legal planning aimed at smoothing the process for the family. Representatives for Kidman and Urban did not respond to requests for comment as of Tuesday.
Background on the couple
Both raised in Australia, Kidman and Urban met in 2005 at a Los Angeles event honoring Australians and wed in Sydney in 2006. Kidman has two older children from her marriage to Tom Cruise. The couple has long been a prominent red‑carpet pair, with Urban joining Kidman at major events and Kidman appearing at country music ceremonies. While they had publicly acknowledged occasional marital strain, the divorce filing marks a definitive turn for a relationship that previously avoided public drama.
In earlier interviews, Kidman had suggested that the idea of a perfect couple was unrealistic, emphasizing the value of partnership over perfection. Urban has publicly credited Kidman with supporting him through personal challenges, including his own rehab shortly after their marriage. Their union has been celebrated for its resilience, making the announced split a notable moment in celebrity life.
Public statements and context
News of the split was first reported by TMZ and quickly followed by coverage of the divorce proceedings. With both parties publicly celebrated in their respective fields, the split raises questions about how the couple will navigate custody, finances, and future collaboration as co‑parents and former partners.
What happens next
The divorce process will move through the Tennessee court system, with at least a 90‑day window before any final dissolution. The filings provide a framework for custody and asset allocation, but many details may evolve as the case proceeds. No further statements have been issued by either party or their representatives, leaving fans and media to follow developments as they unfold.
