It’s the new year, but back in December, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC) castmember Bronwyn Newport announced her separation from husband Todd Bradley after nine years of marriage. The Bravo reality TV star’s marital issues have sparked public attention and raised important questions about the possible legal drama she could soon face off-camera.
Fans and castmates have accused Bronwyn of marrying Todd for his money, adding extra scandal to what could already be a complicated split. And let’s not forget, they don’t have a prenup! Beyond the pop culture gossip, their separation highlights the quirks of Utah separation laws, so let’s take a look at how family courts handle the end of high-profile marriages.
Bronwyn and Todd’s Love Story
Bronwyn reportedly met Todd in San Francisco while working in finance. The two began dating and celebrated their marriage with two ceremonies in 2016. They’ve been together for more than a decade, raising Gwen, Bronwyn’s 19-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
On the show, Bronwyn often talks to her castmates about her love for Todd, but has also hinted at some problems in her marriage. Specifically, Bronwyn revealed that Todd had an emotional affair after Gwen found messages between him and another woman, and there have been rumors and online claims about his cheating. This season, Bronwyn opened up to fellow cast member Whitney Rose about her willingness to have an open relationship with Todd to save her marriage.
On December 12, 2025, a rep for Bronwyn confirmed that she and Todd had separated after thoughtful consideration and described it as a mutual decision. A day earlier, celebrity news outlet Page Six announced the couple’s split based on “multiple well-placed sources.”
Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Utah
In Utah, legal separation is known as separate maintenance. This allows couples to live apart legally while still determining issues such as alimony, custody, and property division. The major difference between a separation and divorce is that with a separation, you remain in a legal marriage. Many couples choose separation because of:
- Religious beliefs
- Financial benefits like health insurance, social security, taxes, etc.
- Property rights and protection of assets
- The ability to live separate lives without officially going their separate ways (maybe to reunite later)
Bronwyn was raised Mormon and has often talked about her struggle with some of its teachings. She was kicked out of Brigham Young University after she got pregnant at 19 for violating the school’s strict rule against premarital sex. It’s unclear whether Mormonism affected her decision to separate instead of divorce.
Filing for Legal Separation in Utah
There are certain requirements in Utah that must be met to file for legal separation:
- You or your spouse must live in Utah for at least 90 days.
- You must have specific grounds for the separation like desertion, neglect, refusal to provide support, or you’re living apart and it’s not your fault.
To file, you submit a petition for separate maintenance in the Utah district where you reside, pay a filing fee, and serve the petition on your spouse. Your spouse has 21 days to file a response. The court will schedule a hearing and then issue a temporary order that lasts for up to one year unless you file for divorce or to dismiss the separation.
Bronwyn and Todd have not revealed the specific reason or grounds for their separation.
Financial and Custody Implications
In Utah, property division and alimony in a separation are typically handled the same way as in a divorce. Because Bronwyn and Todd don’t have a prenuptial agreement, the court will likely divide their property and decide alimony using “equitable distribution.” This means courts look at what the couple earned or bought during the marriage, called “marital property,” and try to split it fairly based on things like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, and their other needs.
Property owned before the marriage, gifts, or inheritance are usually treated as separate property. This property isn’t divided unless it’s been mixed together with marital assets in a way that makes it unfair not to share it. If spouses can come to an agreement about who keeps what, a judge can approve their agreement.
When making decisions about alimony, the judge looks at whether one spouse needs help and whether the other spouse can afford to pay. The court considers:
- The standard of living during the marriage
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s income and earning ability
In most cases, Utah does not order alimony for longer than the marriage lasted, and alimony usually ends if the receiving spouse remarries or either spouse dies.
Bronwyn and Todd reportedly own a number of assets including a mansion and ski house in Utah, an apartment in New York City,real estate in California and Cabo, and interests in several businesses. There’s also a variety of luxury fashion items Bronwyn is seen wearing on the show. Her confessional looks have included designer items from Christian Siriano, Schiaparelli, and Dolce and Gabbana.
Todd was formerly the CEO of Palm during the release of the PalmPilot and currently works as a tech executive. Bronwyn is a Real Housewife, Broadway producer, and a fashion blogger and influencer.
Conversion from Separation to Divorce
In Utah, couples can move from legal separation to divorce by filing a divorce case in the appropriate district court. The court will then move forward using Utah divorce laws. The temporary separation order usually lasts up to one year, and if either spouse files for divorce during that time, the separation and divorce cases will likely be combined. The temporary orders for things like support and property usually stay in place while the divorce moves forward until the judge issues a final divorce decree that legally ends the marriage.
Time will tell whether Bronwyn and Todd decide to move forward with a divorce or come together to work on their marriage. Her castmates like Lisa Barlow and Mary Cosby expressed shock over the news of her separation during sneak peeks of the upcoming RHOSLC Season 6 reunion episode. Fans can stay tuned to see if Andy Cohen will be able to get more details from Bronwyn.
If you’re considering separation or divorce, talk to an experienced family law attorney to learn how to move forward and protect your interests.
Related Resources:
- What Counts as Assault? The Real Housewives of Atlanta Want to Know. (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)
- Does Jen Shah Need a Power of Attorney in Jail? (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)
- What Can and Cannot Be Included in Prenuptial Agreements? (FindLaw’s Learn About The Law)
