Bryton James Divorce: ‘Family Matters’ Star Faces New Spousal Support Fight

Bryton James is officially divorced—but the legal battle tied to his short-lived marriage isn’t fully behind him. New court filings show that less than a month after the split was finalized, his ex-wife, Jahaira James, is asking a judge to revisit the issue of spousal support.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, the divorce judgment was entered on March 24, with both parties’ marital status formally terminated days later. At the time, the court also ended its jurisdiction to award spousal support to either side. Now, Jahaira is requesting that the decision be reconsidered, citing financial instability tied to her work as a professional dancer and performer.

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

In her filing, Jahaira outlines the realities of working in live entertainment—an industry driven by auditions, touring schedules, and short-term contracts. She states that her income fluctuates month to month and includes unpaid preparation time, training, and out-of-pocket expenses tied to staying competitive.

Her reported earnings are around $1,150 per week before taxes, while she estimates that James earns more than $34,000 per month. She argues she cannot maintain the standard of living established during their marriage without temporary financial support.

The development adds a new layer to a relationship that moved quickly and ended just as fast. James, known to many for his role as Richie Crawford on Family Matters and as Devon Hamilton on The Young and the Restless, filed for divorce in October 2025 after seven months of marriage.

The couple wed in March of that year and separated by June. Court filings at the time cited irreconcilable differences, and James requested that neither party receive spousal support. He also asked that Jahaira restore her previous name.

Before the split, the actor had publicly supported Jahaira’s career, praising her dedication as a performer. In a now-deleted post shared during her run on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour, he wrote that her journey reflected “a lifetime of work, discipline, dedication, strength, bravery, and belief,” adding that he was “beyond proud to be a witness to her art.”

This was James’s second marriage. He was married to Ashley Leisinger from 2011 to 2014, and in a 2021 podcast interview, he acknowledged having mixed feelings about marriage, saying he wasn’t sure he would do it again.