Noella Bergener “Blindsided” as Husband James Files For Divorce, RHOC Star Requests Spousal Support and Primary Custody of Son Amid $5.8 Mil Tax Debt, Plus She Reacts

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Noella Bergener was reportedly “blindsided” when her husband, James Bergener, filed for divorce last week.

While the newest Real Housewives of Orange County star recently said she was looking to “settle [her] husband’s debts” after learning that he owed $5.8 million in back taxes, a report claims she was caught off-guard when he filed documents to end their two-year marriage.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ on August 6, James, a personal injury attorney known by his nickname, “Sweet James,” filed last week from Puerto Rico. And, although James hasn’t been living with Noella at their Orange County home, an insider said she was “blindsided” by his filing.

Noella and James married on June 28, 2020, and share a two-year-old son, James Jr.

On August 2, days after James’ filing, as a second report from Radar Online confirmed, Noella filed documents of her own, requesting a legal separation and demanding spousal support and primary legal and physical custody of James Jr. with James restricted to visitation.

Also, Noella cited “irreconcilable differences” in her documents and requested James be forced to pay her legal fees.

“To the exact nature of the separate property asset and debts are unknown to the Petitioner at this time. Petitioner reserves the right to amend her petition once it is discovered,” her filing explained.

Last month, after learning the news of the tax liens against James, Noella offered a comment on Instagram.

“I was just as shocked and disgusted to find out a week before filming…and not from husband,” Noella wrote. “My marriage has been a fight every day since. I am being very open about my journey and looking at every option to settle my husband’s debts.”

Following the filing, Noella updated her Instagram bio to describe herself as a “Not so-Happy Housewife.”

She also spoke of “self-love” in a Story.

The Real Housewives of Orange County season 16 went into production in early July and is expected to premiere on Bravo sometime later this year or early next year.