Sia’s estranged husband, Dan Bernad, is seeking over $250,000 per month in spousal support from the Australian pop star, according to recent court documents filed in Los Angeles. He claims the funds are essential to maintain the luxurious lifestyle he enjoyed during their marriage, which included private jets and high-end expenses.
Sia Furler, known for global hits like ‘Chandelier’ and ‘Titanium,’ filed for divorce from Dan Bernad in early 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple, who tied the knot in December 2022, share an 18-month-old son named Somersault. Bernad, a former radiation oncologist, has now escalated the legal battle by requesting substantial financial support in documents submitted to a California court. This move comes as the divorce proceedings advance, drawing public attention due to Sia’s high-profile status in the music industry.
In his filing, Bernad is asking for $250,856 per month in temporary spousal support, arguing that this sum is necessary because he is ‘financially dependent on Sia, the breadwinner in our marriage.’ He emphasizes that Sia has the ability to pay, given her successful music career, and that the support would help maintain the ‘financial status quo’ they established. The request is framed as a temporary measure to address immediate financial needs while the divorce is pending, with Bernad highlighting the disparity in their current incomes.
The court documents detail a lavish lifestyle with monthly expenses surpassing $400,000, covering private jet travel, exotic vacations, fine dining, and multiple full-time staff members. Bernad wrote that they ‘never needed to monitor our living expenses,’ underscoring the opulence of their life together. This, he contends, justifies the high support request to avoid a drastic reduction in his standard of living. The filings paint a picture of a couple accustomed to extreme luxury, with Bernad insisting that such expenditures were routine during their marriage.
Bernad’s financial dependence stems from his decision to leave his medical practice in 2021 to start a ketamine treatment clinic, Modern Medicine, with Sia. However, he alleges that Sia stopped funding the business in March 2025, leaving him without income since then. Returning to radiation oncology would require him to complete several years of training and pass demanding exams to renew his certification, a process he describes as lengthy and rigorous. This career shift has left him in a vulnerable position, with no current means of self-support.
Additionally, Bernad has requested $300,000 for legal fees and $200,000 for forensic accounting, stating that these costs are needed to ensure a fair legal process and ‘level the playing field.’ He also claims that Sia paid for his hotel stay until July but refused to reimburse him for over $100,000 spent on a year-long lease for a new residence, adding to the financial tensions. These extra demands highlight the complexities of high-asset divorces, where legal and accounting expenses can escalate quickly.
The marriage between Sia and Bernad began in late 2022 and was relatively short-lived, with divorce proceedings initiated within three years. Sia, who has two adopted teenage sons from previous relationships, has maintained a private life despite her fame. The case underscores the challenges of balancing personal and financial matters in high-profile divorces, especially with a young child involved. It also raises questions about spousal support norms when one partner sacrifices their career for the relationship.
The court’s decision on the temporary spousal support could influence the final divorce settlement, with potential implications for how similar cases are handled in the future. Sia’s agents have been contacted for comment, but no public statement has been made. As the proceedings continue, this case draws attention to the complexities of spousal support in marriages where one partner gives up their professional pursuits, setting a precedent for celebrity divorces involving significant wealth and lifestyle disparities.