“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Denise Richards just got a significant legal win. According to TMZ, a Los Angeles judge denied a request from debt collector Creditors Adjustment Bureau to seize her TV wages in order to satisfy a $228,000 debt owed by her estranged husband, Aaron Phyphers.
The motion was denied “without prejudice,” meaning it could potentially be revisited. But for now, Richards is not obligated to cover the debt. The court found that she did not incur the debt and therefore cannot be held responsible for it.
How It Got Here
According to AOL, the legal battle traces back to 2022, when Creditors Adjustment Bureau sued Aaron and his wellness company, Quantum Epigenetics Consulting, over a defaulted $190,000 business loan he took out in 2019. In July 2024, a judge granted the bureau a default judgment totaling $228,000.
In September 2025, Credit Adjustment Bureau filed court documents seeking permission to go after Richards’ wages specifically, per Us Weekly. The argument was that because she was married to Phyphers, she was responsible for the community property debt. The motion sought to seize income from her OnlyFans, NBCUniversal television deals, Fox Broadcast, and Amazon earnings.
Denise and Aaron separated in July 2025. She accused him of multiple instances of domestic violence, according to TMZ, and obtained a restraining order. Aaron has denied those allegations.
Why the Judge Said No
TMZ reported that the court rejected the debt collector’s argument, finding that Richards had not incurred the debt and that it was not tied to her individual financial activity. The ruling made clear she is not “subject” to the debt. Additionally, the judge found the motion itself was overreaching, seeking to attach all of Richards’ wages and assets broadly rather than tying the request to specific community property.
The Bigger Picture
Aaron Phyphers is facing legal trouble on multiple fronts. Beyond the debt judgment, he is dealing with separate criminal charges and other ongoing legal matters, per Page Six. According to People, his wellness center, Quantum 360, was the subject of a separate fraud lawsuit after a patient died following a $126,000 stem cell treatment.
Denise Richards’ divorce from Phyphers remains ongoing and has not been finalized.
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” airs on Bravo and streams on Peacock.
Image credit: Denise Richards/Instagram
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