Artem Chigvintsev has responded to estranged wife Nikki Garcia's divorce filing, seeking joint custody of their son and spousal support.
Artyom Chigvintsev responded in kind to his estranged wife Nikki Garcia's divorce filing, which he formalized on Friday after she was arrested on domestic violence charges late last month.
The 42-year-old Dancing with the Stars pro removed the former WWE star from her Instagram profile, then added him back, but in documents obtained by Us Weekly , she cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split.
He listed the separation date as Aug. 29, the same day he was arrested on felony domestic violence charges after an alleged altercation at his Napa, California, home.
Chigvintsev is also seeking joint legal and physical custody of his four-year-old son, Matteo, whom he has with Nikki.
According to the documents, the Russian-born dancer requested spousal support and also asked Garcia to pay her legal fees.
Artem Chigvintsev, 42, reacted to divorce filings from his estranged wife, Nikki Garcia, 40, who officially filed for divorce on Friday after he was arrested for domestic violence late last month. Photographed in 2020.
In his application, Artyom claimed that he was the putative spouse between August 26, 2022 and January 19, 2023.
A putative spouse is an individual who believes they are legally married to someone else, but the marriage itself is not valid.
Chigvintsev and Garcia famously married in August 2022 in a ceremony in Paris, France.
However, in the documents, the professional dancer also said they are set to get married in the US in January 2023, according to Us Weekly.
Garcia filed for divorce two days earlier, on Wednesday, in Napa Superior Court, seeking sole legal and physical custody of their son.
According to TMZ, she also cited “irreconcilable differences” in her divorce papers and listed Aug. 29, the day of Artyom's arrest, as the date of separation.
The TV personality said she is open to Artem receiving visitation rights to their four-year-old son, Matteo.
But while Chigvintsev is seeking spousal support from Nikki, he is also asking the court to prevent either of them from receiving spousal support.
He listed the date of separation as August 29th, the same day he was arrested in Napa, California, on felony domestic violence charges.
Chigvintsev is also seeking joint legal and physical custody of his four-year-old son, Matteo, whom he has with Nikki.
The couple had just celebrated their second wedding anniversary just days before the professional dancer was handcuffed.
At the time, Chigvintsev shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, writing, “Happy anniversary my love. I can't imagine life without you. You are my everything.”
Chigvintsev updated his Instagram profile over the weekend on Saturday, adding his wife's name back, less than 24 hours after removing it.
Sources recently told DailyMail.com that Chigvintsev is desperately trying to repair his marriage.
Police were called to the couple's $1.5 million vacation home in Yountville, California, on Aug. 29 after reports of a fight.
Sources said the couple called 911 twice, first to request help for their injuries and then called back to ask that paramedics not come.
But hearing sounds of a domestic disturbance in the background, Napa County Sheriff's Department deputies rushed to the wooded neighborhood where the couple lives, escorting Chigvintsev.
He was booked into the Napa County Jail at 10:59 a.m. on a felony domestic violence charge and released on $25,000 bail at approximately 2:18 p.m.
He was booked into the Napa County Jail at 10:59 a.m. on a felony domestic violence charge and released on $25,000 bail at approximately 2:18 p.m.
An arrest photo released by the Napa County Sheriff's Office showed the socialite with a graying beard, a plaid shirt and a somber expression.
The incident, in which Garcia was reportedly arrested after throwing a shoe at her husband, came less than four days after the couple celebrated their August 2022 wedding anniversary, a moment they both celebrated on social media.
Chigvintsev is currently scheduled to appear in Napa County court on Tuesday over the case and will not be allowed to leave Napa County until the case is resolved, according to sources.
And now Artyom is said to be doing all he can to prove to his wife Nikki that he can change.
She has banned Artem from seeing their son Matteo unsupervised and is reportedly seeking a divorce lawyer, but sources tell DailyMail.com that Artem is in the “fight of his life” to win her back – especially now that he's been dropped from the upcoming season of DWTS.
“Artyom is extremely frustrated and angry that he wasn't asked to appear on this season of Dancing with the Stars and it looks like he will never return,” the source said. “His professional and personal life has been turned upside down.”
“He doesn't know what his next move will be in his relationship with Nikki. He has been upset for a long time and is now fighting for his life to redeem his reputation and get Nikki back. However, at this point he hasn't decided what he will do to show Nikki that he is a changed person.”
“Currently, dialogue between the two men is limited.”
Garcia filed for divorce two days earlier, on Wednesday, in Napa Superior Court, seeking sole legal and physical custody of their son. Photographed in Los Angeles in 2019.
“If she meets Matteo, Nikki will ask for supervision. She has lost her trust and is very angry with Artem. Artem is going to have a tough fight from now on. Everything is a mess.”
“She has tried many times to make it work but feels divorce is her only option. It's tough, but Nikki is a very strong woman and is doing the right thing for herself and Matteo.”
While Artem is desperately trying to repair his marriage, Nikki's twin sister, Brie Garcia, reportedly wants her sister to break up with him for good.
Earlier this week, a source close to former WWE star Brie, 40, said she was “disgusted” by the news of Artyom’s arrest and wanted her twin brother nothing to do with him.
The arrest, which reportedly occurred after Garcia threw a shoe at her husband, came less than four days after the couple celebrated their wedding anniversary in August 2022. The couple celebrated the moment on social media.
While Artem is desperately trying to repair his marriage, Nikki's twin, Brie Garcia, reportedly wants her sister to break up with him for good.
“Nikki's sister, Brie, is disgusted, shocked, disappointed and just saddened that this has happened,” they told DailyMail.com.
“She loves Artyom and it's completely unthinkable that something like this would happen to someone she knows. Bree is deeply concerned about this and is dedicated to her sister no matter the cost.”
She added, “Like everyone, Brie, who is obviously closest to Nikki, will be the first to tell Nikki to break up with Artyom once she finds out the whole story, if this is as bad as it seems and if this has happened before.”
Nikki and Artyom's two-year marriage had reportedly been plagued by arguments, but his violent outburst came as a shock to the WWE star and his family.
