Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Sometimes the fairy-tale fades. The singer whose voice gave us “A Thousand Years” now faces a different kind of heartbreak, ending a union that once felt like a lifetime.
On Nov. 3, 2025, Christina Perri filed for divorce from Paul Costabile, her husband of seven years, citing “irreconcilable differences.” They shared two daughters, Carmella Stanley (7) and Pixie Rose (3).
From the moment their Instagram-announcement wedding in 2017 felt like a love story set in slow motion, to the tiny kitchen celebrations of bringing home baby daughters, Perri and Costabile seemed to embody an intimate ideal.
Their union had a prenup dated December 11, 2017—just one day before the legal marriage—something many couples only reluctantly consider.
Yet behind the scenes, life whispered another tale.
In January 2020, Perri revealed she suffered a miscarriage at 11 weeks.
Later in 2020, they announced a subsequent pregnancy—but heartbreak followed when their daughter was stillborn.
They welcomed Pixie in October 2022, a “double-rainbow” baby after loss.
Moments of triumph and sorrow entwined. Joy at new life, grief at what didn’t arrive, two young girls growing up fast, and a marriage stretched by public attention and private pain.
Now the public filing shows Perri is requesting joint legal and physical custody of both daughters and is asking the court to prevent spousal support being awarded to Costabile.
What wakes us up to the truth: love can endure tragedy, but that doesn’t guarantee it endures forever.
“Does the prenup really protect someone from paying or receiving spousal support and what could go wrong?”
In this divorce, one of the most consequential details is the prenup and the attempt by Christina Perri to block spousal support for Paul Costabile.
The document they signed one day before their wedding (Dec 11, 2017) isn’t just paperwork, it could determine whether millions in future earnings, royalties, and shared life are split with one side, the other, or neither.
In California, prenuptial agreements are legal tools that allow couples to decide in advance how assets, debts, and spousal support will be handled if the marriage ends. However:
To be enforceable, the prenup must be entered voluntarily, with full disclosure of assets and income, and usually with each party having their own legal counsel.
If the agreement is vastly unfair or signed under pressure (e.g., just before the wedding with no time to review), a court may set aside its terms.
A clause waiving spousal support is valid—but it’s not absolute: if enforcement would leave one spouse destitute or unable to support minor children, the court can intervene.
Family-law attorney Christopher Melcher notes that “a prenuptial agreement can save enormous conflict later, but it must be signed voluntarily, with full disclosure, and ideally well before the wedding. If there’s pressure or missing information, the court may set it aside.”
If you’re entering married life, a “fill-in the blank” prenup might feel protective, but if you sign it under stress, without disclosure or independent counsel, it may not hold. It’s not enough to have one—you must have the right one, executed in the right way.
If the prenup is found valid and the spousal support waiver stands, then Perri’s request to block support is likely to succeed.
But if Costabile shows he lacked independent counsel, didn’t get full disclosure, or would face financial ruin without support, the court could override the waiver. The stakes: immense.
Action steps:
If you’re considering a prenup, demand full financial disclosure from both sides.
Each partner should have their own attorney—otherwise a waiver clause is vulnerable.
Never sign hours before the wedding or when the pressure is at its peak.
If you’re going through a divorce and a prenup is involved: ask if it was properly signed, whether you had time to review, and whether assets/income were fully disclosed. If not, you may be able to challenge it.
A prenup can be a smart, protective tool, but only if it’s fair, transparent, and executed with care. In the story of Christina Perri and Paul Costabile, that one piece of paper could determine whether spousal support is paid, waived, or renegotiated.
For you, the lesson is clear: don’t treat it as a checkbox—treat it as a safeguard to your future.
For Christina Perri, filing for divorce marks not an ending, but the beginning of a major life transition. In the coming months, the court will review key matters such as joint custody, spousal support, and the couple’s California prenuptial agreement, all of which will determine how her family’s future unfolds.
Behind the legal paperwork, there’s a deeply human story—a mother striving to balance emotional recovery, family stability, and a public career.
Divorce, even when amicable, can be an exhausting process that tests one’s sense of self and security. For public figures like Perri, those challenges are magnified under the spotlight.
Fans may continue to follow her for the music, but what truly resonates is her resilience. Like so many others navigating separation, Perri’s experience underscores how endings can also mark a powerful new beginning.
The legal and emotional journey ahead will shape not only her family life but also the creative energy that defines her career.
If you or someone close to you is facing a divorce, remember: the first filing is only one part of the process. Take time to understand your rights under California family law, from custody and child support to property division and financial planning.
Consult a trusted family law attorney to protect your interests and ensure every decision emotional or legal, is made with clarity and confidence.
1. What does Christina Perri’s prenuptial agreement mean for her divorce?
Christina Perri’s prenup, signed one day before her 2017 wedding to Paul Costabile, could determine whether he’s entitled to any form of spousal support or claim on her future royalties and earnings. In California, a prenuptial agreement is enforceable only if it was entered into voluntarily, with full financial disclosure and independent legal counsel for both sides. If the court finds that the agreement was fair and properly executed, it could prevent Costabile from receiving spousal support. But if he can prove pressure, lack of disclosure, or unfairness, the court may set aside parts of the document.
2. Can a prenuptial agreement really block spousal support in California?
Yes—but only under specific conditions. A prenup can include a spousal support waiver, meaning both parties agree that no financial support will be paid if the marriage ends. However, under California Family Code §1612, such a clause won’t hold up if one spouse didn’t have independent counsel or if enforcing it would be unconscionable—essentially leaving that person unable to support themselves or care for their children. Courts tend to look closely at fairness, timing, and whether both parties fully understood what they were signing.
3. What happens to child custody and child support in celebrity divorces like this?
Even when a couple has a prenuptial agreement, child custody and support are treated separately under California family law. Christina Perri has requested joint legal and physical custody of her daughters, Carmella and Pixie. Courts prioritize the best interests of the children—focusing on stability, safety, and emotional wellbeing—over financial factors or celebrity status. A prenup can’t dictate custody or child support outcomes, so those issues are determined independently by the court.
4. Why do so many celebrity couples sign prenups right before marriage?
Many public figures sign prenuptial agreements close to their wedding date due to busy schedules, management oversight, or last-minute negotiations. However, signing too close to the ceremony can create legal vulnerabilities. Courts may view such agreements as signed under duress, especially if one party didn’t have enough time to review it with a lawyer. As family law expert Christopher Melcher explains, “A prenuptial agreement can save enormous conflict later—but it must be signed voluntarily, with full disclosure, and ideally well before the wedding.”
5. What should couples learn from Christina Perri’s divorce?
The biggest takeaway is that a prenuptial agreement isn’t just paperwork—it’s a legal contract that can shape your financial future. Couples should approach prenups as mutual protection, not mistrust. Each partner needs legal counsel, full financial transparency, and time to negotiate fair terms. Perri’s case is a reminder that emotions may fade, but fairness and clarity endure. For anyone preparing to marry—or separate—under California law, consulting a qualified family law attorney early can prevent costly disputes later on.
