Shannen Doherty’s ex-husband, Kurt Iswarienko, has filed a legal challenge to their divorce settlement nearly two years after the actress’s death, alleging jurisdictional issues and contesting the authority of her estate’s trustee. This move intensifies a protracted dispute over the fulfillment of the settlement’s terms, which Doherty signed just before her passing in 2024.
On January 14, 2026, Iswarienko submitted documents in Los Angeles Superior Court arguing that the divorce settlement was brought in the wrong court and that the court lacks jurisdiction to enforce its terms due to Doherty’s death on July 13, 2024. He contended that the divorce case should have ended upon her death, rendering the settlement invalid. This filing comes in response to earlier actions by the estate’s trustee, Christopher Cortazzo, who sought to enforce the agreement.
The divorce settlement was signed by Doherty on July 12, 2024, and by Iswarienko the following day, just hours before her death from breast cancer at age 53. Doherty had filed for divorce in 2023 after 11 years of marriage, citing infidelity during her battle with cancer. The settlement was finalized by a judge on July 15, 2024, but Iswarienko’s recent challenge threatens to undo this resolution.
In November 2024, Cortazzo filed documents accusing Iswarienko of failing to meet several monetary obligations under the settlement. These included selling a $1.5 million home in Dripping Springs, Texas, and equally dividing the proceeds with Doherty’s estate, as well as paying $100,000 for a Mooney M-20 airplane he purchased from her. The estate alleged that Iswarienko withheld over $50,000 from the airplane sale and refused to list the Texas property for sale.
Additionally, the estate claimed Iswarienko did not return personal property, such as photographs of Doherty, as stipulated in the agreement. These allegations painted a picture of non-compliance that has delayed the distribution of Doherty’s assets. Iswarienko’s January filing challenges Cortazzo’s authority to act on behalf of the trust, arguing that the trustee has not adequately demonstrated his legal standing.
The legal battle reflects deeper tensions from Doherty’s final years. Sources close to the actress indicated that she pursued the divorce aggressively to prevent Iswarienko from inheriting her multimillion-dollar estate, fearing he would gain control after her death. Her friends revealed that she wanted to die as a divorced woman, viewing it as a final act of autonomy amid her health struggles.
The jurisdictional challenge could have significant implications for posthumous divorce cases, potentially setting precedents on how courts handle settlements after a party’s death. Legal experts note that such disputes often hinge on the timing of filings and the interpretation of trust authorities. The outcome may affect not only Doherty’s estate but also similar future cases involving celebrity or high-net-worth individuals.
As the case proceeds, the court must rule on Iswarienko’s motion, which could delay or alter the enforcement of the settlement. Doherty’s estate remains committed to upholding her wishes, while Iswarienko’s legal team continues to argue procedural flaws. The dispute underscores the complex interplay of personal relationships, legal technicalities, and estate planning in the aftermath of a public figure’s death.
