Jodie Turner-Smith is making headlines with serious allegations against her estranged husband, Joshua Jackson, accusing him of failing to provide necessary financial support for their child amid their divorce proceedings. The Queen & Slim actress filed court documents earlier this week, claiming Jackson has not paid child support or spousal support since their split, which was publicly announced.
According to legal documents filed on December 23, Turner-Smith, 38, asserts Jackson, 46, has neglected his financial responsibilities for their four-year-old daughter, Juno, since October 2023. She is seeking $8,543 per month as retroactive child support dating back to the onset of their separation, as well as $28,641 per month for spousal support. On top of this, she is also requesting $250,000 to cover her attorney fees and costs associated with the divorce process, including hiring forensic accountants to analyze their finances.
Turner-Smith alleges her ex-husband has defaulted on previously made promises to support her financially, stating, "Josh promised to always support me and ensured me... understood how difficult life can be as a Black woman and a single mother." This reveals not only her emotional trauma but also the dissonance between their past commitments and the present reality.
The couple, who have married back in December 2019 after meeting at Usher’s 40th birthday party, welcomed Juno to the world just months later, on April 2020. Their union has been colorful, with Turner-Smith sharing candidly on The Late Show with Seth Meyers about the unconventional start to their relationship: "When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand. We're in a two-, three-year one-night stand now." Despite the jovial nature of their introduction, the facade has crumbled under the pressures of marital strain.
Turner-Smith filed for divorce on October 23, 2023, citing irreconcilable differences and listing their separation date as September 13. She initially pushed for shared, supervised custody without spousal support, but has since changed her stance, recognizing the financial imbalance between them throughout their marriage.
Throughout their four years of marriage, Turner-Smith took on the role of caregiver for their daughter, allowing Jackson to continue advancing his career, which has spanned over 30 years. According to reports, Jackson earned over $2 million just last year, yet Turner-Smith claims he has been bringing up legal fees as he seeks sole custody of their daughter. She states, "Now, he is reneging on... equitable nor has any legal foundation," pointing to how the legal battles have morphed from personal struggles to public scrutiny.
Interestingly, Turner-Smith has been public about the emotional adjustments one faces during such transitions. Speaking to Glamour about coparenting, she remarked, "It’s complicated... Nobody hands you a manual. Everyone’s trying to figure it out." She is aware of the difficulties unique to their split and is attempting to navigate co-parenting amid the turbulence of their legal alterations.
Meanwhile, Jackson has remained relatively quiet throughout this extensive media coverage of the split and the resultant allegations. Yet, he has occasionally reflected on the joys of fatherhood, mentioning to Us Weekly, "I have a 4-year-old. She’s in school. I need to work here, and I want to be able to be, like, a dad. That’s really honestly my main priority." His remarks indicate he values his role as Juno's father, even amid the looming tensions of their separation.
Joshua's net worth stands at approximately $8 million, and the financial disparity is becoming more pronounced as Turner-Smith outlines her claims. With evidence presenting his monthly income at $195,000 and the child support requests accumulating, the stakes of their legal battle rise. Yet, Turner-Smith feels the decaying promises are not just monetary but foundationally about support and security for herself and their daughter.
Both personalities have entertained roles far beyond just acting, as Jackson is currently producing and starring on Doctor Odyssey. The public interest surrounding Jackson and Turner-Smith's situation is high, as audiences continue to be engaged with their lives. Turner-Smith's desire for financial security to facilitate home ownership and proper care for Juno resonates with many who have navigated the troubled waters of divorce.
The latest court filings have pinpointed what seems like the beginning of intense financial reckonings for both parties as they move forward. With no prenuptial agreement and rising legal fees, the discussions of spousal and child support will likely continue to shape the narrative surrounding this former couple.
While both Turner-Smith and Jackson maintain their public personas, only time will tell how this very personal dispute will evolve and what lessons can be taken from their high-profile split alongside the realities many face behind closed doors.
