Jaime King is currently navigating one of the most challenging periods of her life, as she grapples with the ramifications of losing custody of her two sons while also dealing with a legal dispute over unpaid rent on her Hollywood Hills home. The 45-year-old actress, best known for her role in the television series Hart of Dixie, expressed her focus on her children amidst the turmoil in a statement made to Us Weekly on March 24, 2025.
"The situation with my landlord was resolved privately. It’s disappointing — but not surprising — to see someone try to exploit this moment for attention. I am currently focused on what matters most: my children," King told the publication, attempting to highlight her priorities during this difficult time.
Just a week prior, reports emerged detailing King's eviction from her rental property in Los Angeles due to significant unpaid rent totaling around $42,580. She had been living in the $10,145-a-month Hollywood Hills residence since April 2023 but stopped making payments in January 2025. As a result, her landlord, Sheila Irani, took the drastic step of locking King out of the property, claiming that the actress was "maliciously" occupying the premises without paying rent.
However, King's legal team denied these accusations, arguing that their client had been actively seeking acting jobs to repay her overdue rent. They cited extraordinary circumstances, including natural disasters that contributed to her financial setbacks. According to court documents, King was reportedly forced to evacuate her home due to the nearby Los Angeles wildfires, which reached dangerously close to her property.
The legal battle over custody of her children, James, age 11, and Leo, age 9, with ex-husband Kyle Newman further complicated King's situation. Earlier in March 2025, a judge ruled that while King and Newman would share legal custody of their children, he would have sole physical custody. Moreover, the court mandated that King's visitation rights be supervised until she completes a rigorous six-month rehabilitation program for substance abuse issues.
This decision came in light of King's reported failure to finish a previously court-ordered drug and alcohol treatment plan, which included weekly testing, a 26-week parenting course, and individual and joint counseling sessions with her children. These stipulations have indeed cast a shadow over what should have been a nurturing time in her children's lives.
Despite the challenges, sources close to King reveal that the emotional weight of losing custody has significantly impacted her. A close friend noted that she is struggling amidst a testing financial situation and has been forced to 'downsize' her living conditions. Reports suggest she recently moved to a less expensive home after selling her Beverly Hills residence following her 2020 divorce from Newman.
"She has been struggling with her finances for years now after some failed film ventures, but the custody fight and having to deal with the accusations against her in court have drained her bank accounts," the source explained. This added strain makes it increasingly difficult for King to focus on getting her life back on track and being the mother she wishes to be.
The settlement reached with Irani regarding her rental eviction signifies a step forward for King. She agreed to vacate the property by March 22, 2025, settling with her landlord to avoid further complications. However, the terms of the settlements included a provision that King would incur additional costs of $1,000 daily for any delays in her move-out date.
King's legal troubles do not end here. She has filed an emergency request aimed at modifying the previous agreements regarding child and spousal support after struggling to meet financial obligations while navigating her troubled personal life. She has been in and out of court since filing for divorce from Newman in May 2020, who has made multiple allegations regarding her parenting and substance issues.
In light of these challenges, King remains vigilant about her responsibilities as a mother and her pursuit of recovery. Friends and family continue to stand by her, urging her to focus on self-improvement while she contends with the difficulties of her ongoing custody battle.
As she faces these adversities, King’s dedication to her children remains a central theme in her life. The moving parts of her legal battle, coupled with her internal struggles and the emotional toll from her recent custody loss, have created an environment ripe for reflection. She hopes to one day regain stability not just for herself but for James and Leo as well.
