Christina Haack, 41, has made a major change in her divorce proceedings by replacing her former attorneys at Dearmey Law APC with the renowned divorce lawyer, Laura Wasser, 56. This decision comes as Christina expresses growing frustration over the sluggish pace of her ongoing divorce from estranged husband, Joshua Hall, 43.
Christina Hall has made a bold move in her divorce from Joshua Hall by hiring renowned attorney Laura Wasser. Frustrated with the slow pace of the proceedings, Christina seeks a swift and fair resolution to their ongoing legal battle.
A source close to the situation revealed that Christina, who has been eager to move forward with the divorce, was dissatisfied with the lack of progress in the case. "She decided to go with the best divorce attorney out there to try and wrap this up quickly and fairly," the source shared.
Last Friday, Christina, an interior designer and television personality, formally requested to change her legal representation with the Superior Court of California in Orange County. She now enlists the expertise of Laura Wasser, a partner at the renowned law firm Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles. Mrs. Wasser is widely regarded as one of the top divorce attorneys in the industry, with a prestigious roster of celebrity clients including Angelina Jolie, Ryan Reynolds, Britney Spears, Johnny Depp, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Garner, among others.
Laura Wasser, who has a reputation for handling high-profile cases, charges a $25,000 retainer fee and an hourly rate of $900. As she stated in 2019, "I feel no hesitation in requesting that sum. When I compare it to what my peers are charging, I believe it's quite a bargain."
Laura Wasser
Christina's decision to hire Laura Wasser comes just months after she and her third husband, Josh Hall, 44, filed for divorce following a two-year marriage. Prior to Josh, Christina was married twice before—first to Tarek El Moussa, with whom she shares two children, and then to Ant Anstead, with whom she has a son named Hudson.
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Since filing for divorce, Christina and Josh have been embroiled in a heated dispute over their assets and finances. The couple has clashed over the division of their Newport Beach home, as well as Christina’s HGTV show rights. In addition to the property issues, Josh initially expressed a desire to split everything equally, but things have escalated. A source claims that Josh was presented with a settlement offer worth over seven figures, but he reportedly declined it.
In recent weeks, the financial drama has intensified. Josh asked Christina for $65,000 a month in spousal support, a request that Christina has publicly called "outrageous." In response to his demand, Christina’s attorney argued that Josh's "Good Faith" settlement proposal was not made in good faith. "Josh’s assertion that he submitted a 'Good Faith' settlement offer is not an accurate representation," Christina’s attorney declared in court.
The ongoing disputes between Christina and Joshua over their shared property in Tennessee stem from a disagreement over the ownership and potential sale of a home they jointly purchased. The couple had acquired a property in Tennessee during their marriage, and this home has become a focal point of their divorce battle.
After the couple separated, Joshua, who had relocated to Tennessee, filed a petition in October 2024 to prevent Christina from selling the house, effectively blocking her from making any financial decisions regarding the property. The dispute over the Tennessee home adds another layer of complexity to their already contentious divorce, which includes disagreements about asset division and financial support.
Christina, who has stayed in California following the separation, is looking to resolve the financial matters in the divorce, and the Tennessee home is one of the key assets in the mix. This conflict over the property is part of a broader series of issues that have made the divorce proceedings drawn-out and emotionally charged.
The couple’s disagreement over the Tennessee property began earlier in the year and has continued to be a major point of contention, as both parties appear to have differing views on how the property should be handled, whether it should be sold, and who should have control over it. The legal battle surrounding the house is reflective of the broader financial and asset division issues that have made their divorce proceedings particularly difficult.
Christina has remained in California, where she has a home and continues to focus on her career and family. On the other hand, Joshua made a fresh start by relocating to Tennessee, seeking space and a change of scenery following their separation.
Laura Allison Wasser (born 1968) is a renowned American attorney, specialising in divorce law, with a notable reputation for representing high-profile clients. She is currently the Chief of Divorce Evolution at Divorce.com. Born in Los Angeles, Wasser earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1994 and is a member of the California Bar. She began her career at her father’s firm, Wasser Cooperman & Mandles, and later founded the online divorce service It's Over Easy, acquired by Divorce.com in 2022. Wasser has handled divorces for celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Ryan Reynolds, and Johnny Depp. She is also a podcast host and TV commentator.
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Laura Allison Wasser's journey to becoming one of the most renowned divorce attorneys in the world is a blend of family legacy, a bit of destiny, and some carefully calculated decisions. Born into a family steeped in family law, with her father being the respected attorney Dennis Wasser, Laura’s path to the legal profession might seem inevitable. In fact, she jokes about not having much of a choice in the matter. "I was conceived celebratorily the night my parents found out that my father had passed the California Bar exam," she says. "They decided to name me Laura Allison Wasser in order that my initials spell LAW. I fought the law for a while but eventually succumbed."
Despite her early exposure to the world of law, Wasser initially pursued a career in non-profit work before realising the financial security that law could offer. "It was a financial decision. I was working for a nonprofit waiting for my own Bar results and my very new marriage was coming to an end. Needing money, I asked my father whether I could work for his firm if I passed. He said yes. I passed (thank goodness!) and my first dissolution case was my own," she reflects on the pivotal moment when her career in family law truly began.
Though her entry into family law was influenced by her father's career, Wasser's rise to fame came through a combination of chance and connections. “Having grown up in Southern California, I knew many kids whose families were in the entertainment industry,” she explains. “Through word of mouth, I had a few clients in the music industry and at one point someone referred Britney Spears to me as she needed a Prenuptial Agreement drafted for her upcoming marriage to Kevin Federline. The rest is history.”
This high-profile case marked a turning point, opening doors to a slew of celebrity clients, including Angelina Jolie, Kim Kardashian, and Ryan Reynolds. Wasser’s ability to navigate complex celebrity divorces has made her a go-to lawyer for high-net-worth individuals in the public eye.
Despite her success, Wasser remains grounded and deeply committed to helping families navigate difficult times. Her book, It Doesn’t Have to be That Way, embodies her philosophy of providing accessible guidance to families facing separation. She also advocates for reform in marriage education, suggesting that couples should be better informed about family law before entering into marriage.
Wasser has built a reputation not only for her legal prowess but for her calm and approachable demeanour, earning the respect of both clients and colleagues. When asked what advice she would give to aspiring lawyers, she urges, "Maintain your integrity. You will be working with your colleagues far longer than any single client and it is important that your reputation be for honesty and reason."
Through the highs of successful cases and the lows of handling the emotional weight of divorce, Laura Wasser continues to lead the charge in revolutionising family law, proving that even in the most difficult circumstances, resolution is possible.
