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'Diff'rent Strokes' Star Todd Bridges Divorcing After 14 Years

By Andrew Chow, Esq. on May 29, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

"What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?" may be what Todd Bridges' fans are asking after the former "Diff'rent Strokes" star announced he's divorcing his wife Dori after 14 years.

"Me and my wife our [sic] divorcing our lives are going different directions," Bridges said via Twitter on Friday, according to gossip website TMZ. The tweet has since been deleted, but Bridges followed up with other tweets including, "May God help us get passed [sic] this situation" and "People grow apart and we did."

It's not clear if Bridges or his wife have actually filed for divorce, but the couple -- and their divorce lawyers -- may soon be talkin' 'bout issues including property division and child custody and support.

In California, where Todd Bridges' divorce case will likely take place, all property acquired between a couple's date of marriage and their date of separation is considered community property. Upon divorce, each spouse is entitled to 50% of community property, unless they agree otherwise.

If Todd and Dori Bridges signed a valid prenuptial agreement, that would override California's community property presumption. Otherwise, the couple's marital earnings, including salary from Todd's paid TV appearances, would, by default, be split 50/50.

But issues of child custody and support cannot be discussed in a prenuptial agreement. So the Bridges will have to hammer out some sort of agreement regarding their son Spencir, 13, including:

  • Arrangements for physical custody, or a schedule that spells out when the child will live with each parent; and
  • Arrangements for legal custody, or who will make decisions about the child's upbringing and welfare.

If you're going through a situation similar to Todd Bridges' divorce, FindLaw's free Guide to Getting a Divorce and Guide to Getting Child Support Payments offer an overview of the process. You could always check out FindLaw Answers' robust family law forum, too.

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