'RHOC' alum Braunwyn Windham-Burke sues ex husband Sean Burke over $106k in pending child and spousal support
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Braunwyn Windham-Burke of 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' and her ex-husband Sean Burke are at odds again over child and spousal support, The Sun exclusively revealed. On March 19, 2024, the business strategist filed a petition with the state to modify child support because "there has been a significant variance warranting the modification."
He is requesting that the court modify the previously California-ordered $6k per month "in accordance with the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines." Additionally, he is also seeking that Braunwyn pay his attorneys' fees and costs in this action, according to court records acquired exclusively by The Sun.
On April 5, 2024, in response to Sean's request for child support adjustment, Braunwyn filed a civil contempt petition. The LGBTQ+ advocate rehashed their court-ordered agreement from April 2023, alleging that Sean failed to comply.
The businessman was obligated to pay $6,000 per month in child support for their four minor children—twins Caden and Curren, Koa, and Hazel—and $5,000 per month in spousal support. Additionally, he was required to provide $10,000 for her attorneys' fees.
"Despite the clear and unambiguous nature of these Orders, Father has willfully failed to pay to Mother the financial support which she is owed," Braunwyn said in the court statement.
Breaking it down, she argued that the total child support payments from May 2023 to April 2024 should have amounted to $72,000, with spousal support payments totaling $60,000. Including the $10,000 in attorney expenses, his financial contribution should have been $142,000. Braunwyn, on the other hand, claimed to have only paid $36,261.15 thus far.
"Father is deficient in the amount of $105,738.85 in his court-ordered payments to Mother," Braunwyn said in court documents. She is asking the court to order him to pay roughly $106,000, plus all pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and attorney's costs.
Sean was served these documents on Friday, April 12 but has yet to respond.
Sean Burke slams 'RHOC' alum Braunwyn Windham-Burke for taking too many vacations
Sean has already requested an adjustment in child support and custody. He asked in November 2023, only days before their divorce was finalized, that the monthly payment be increased to $3,000, or $750 per child.
He requested a 50% reduction in his monthly payments at the time since he had substantially "increased timeshare with the children." He calculated that he was with the kids "66 percent" of the time and his ex was with them "34 percent," rather than the other way around, as it had been previously.
Sean then criticized Braunwyn for taking too many trips while leaving the children at home. He went on to say: "Additionally, over the last few months, due to Braunwyn's vacations and [what's] scheduled for November, she has only been in the home 1/3 of the time, instead of 2/3 of the time that child support was based on."
His plea for modification was dismissed when the judge approved the divorce on November 17, 2023. It's unclear whether the timeshare has altered since then.
'RHOC' alum Braunwyn Windham-Burke claims ex Sean Burke left her 'with nothing'
Braunwyn took to Instagram on April 15, 2024, to explain her present work status after being "left with nothing" when she separated from Sean in July 2021. " I often hear on here 'get a job' when I mention how helpful my family has been, but here’s the thing…I needed them."
"When I left my ex-husband he left me with nothing, and while I’m waiting for the courts to make him do the right (and legal) thing, without them we wouldn’t of made it," she captioned a photo of herself displaying her parents her new piece of property.
" I’ve been in school, I’m a recovery and wellness coach, I’m going back to school for my law degree, all these things take time, and I’m so grateful they’ve given me this chance." She continued, "I was a stay at home mom for 24 years, years looking back I should have used to stay in school and start a career, but I was young and naive and trusted someone that was untrustworthy."
"I’m excited for this chapter, it’s big and beautiful and if you can’t support me ….don't knock me (or any woman) down!! Xoxo."
How many children does 'RHOC' alum Braunwyn Windham-Burke share with ex Sean Burke?
Braunwyn became engaged to Spinner in July 2022. She and Sean have seven children together. In addition to Rowan and Jacob, they have Bella, twins Caden and Curren, Koa, and Hazel.
Braunwyn and Sean divorced in November 2023, more than a year after the 'RHOC' star petitioned to break their 23-year marriage. Their divorce was filed in Orange County, California, where the couple first raised their seven children.
Since then, they have both relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, where Braunwyn intends to settle down with her now-fiancée, Jennifer Spinner. Sean moved in with the couple in April 2023, but as of December, he has moved out and is living elsewhere.
