Kate Beckinsale & Len Wiseman: Four Years to Finalize, No Prenup, Minimal Drama

What Happened

Kate Beckinsale and director Len Wiseman met on the set of 'Underworld' in 2003 and married in May 2004. Wiseman directed Beckinsale in multiple 'Underworld' sequels, making them one of Hollywood's most visible professional partnerships. They did not have children together, though Beckinsale had a daughter, Lily, from her previous relationship with actor Michael Sheen.

Wiseman filed for divorce in October 2016, and what followed was a four-year negotiation that tested both parties' patience. The couple reportedly did not have a prenuptial agreement, which meant that all earnings during their 12-year marriage — including substantial film salaries, directing fees, and 'Underworld' franchise revenue — were community property subject to division under California law.

The settlement, finalized in October 2019, was pragmatic. Both parties waived spousal support. Beckinsale retained her jewelry, personal effects, and all earnings after the date of separation. In exchange, she deeded the couple's Hollywood Hills home to Wiseman. The four-year timeline reflected the complexity of untangling more than a decade of shared professional and personal finances without the framework of a prenup.

The Beckinsale-Wiseman divorce is notable for what did not happen: no public disputes, no tabloid leaks of financial details, no acrimonious court filings. Both parties maintained their professional reputations throughout the process. The case demonstrates that even without a prenup, a divorce can be resolved civilly when both spouses are willing to negotiate in good faith — though the process may take significantly longer without the predefined framework a prenup provides.

Legal Breakdown: Divorcing Without a Prenup When Both Spouses Earn Well

What This Means for Your Divorce