Christina Haack & Ant Anstead: The HGTV Star's Second Divorce and the Custody Battle Over Baby Hudson
Two years of marriage, one child, and then a custody fight so bitter that a British TV host tried to take full custody from America's most famous house flipper.
Key Facts
What Happened
Christina Haack's second marriage, to British TV presenter Ant Anstead, lasted barely two years before she announced their separation in September 2020. They had married in December 2018 at their Newport Beach home and welcomed son Hudson in September 2019. The divorce was finalized in June 2021 with terms that seemed amicable: joint legal and physical custody, no spousal or child support from either party, and a property division that gave Haack four California properties plus one in Tennessee.
The peace did not last. In April 2022, Anstead filed an emergency request for full custody of two-year-old Hudson, alleging that Haack endangered the child through medical neglect and exposure to unsafe conditions. He cited instances where he claimed Hudson had severe sunburn after being in Haack's care and alleged she was using the toddler for paid social media content. Haack's legal team vigorously denied the allegations.
The custody battle played out in the media as both sides leaked information. Anstead, who had begun a relationship with actress Renee Zellweger, was portrayed by Haack's supporters as using the courts to punish his ex-wife. Haack's critics pointed to her rapid succession of relationships and marriages as evidence of instability. A judge ultimately denied Anstead's request for full custody in November 2022, maintaining the joint custody arrangement with a detailed holiday schedule.
Anstead was also ordered to repay a loan of over $500,000 to Haack's family trust. The case highlighted how initial divorce agreements can be challenged through custody modification requests, and how co-parenting disputes can escalate quickly when new relationships and public platforms are involved. Christina Haack would go on to marry and divorce a third time, to realtor Josh Hall, in 2024.
Legal Breakdown: Custody Modification
Emergency Custody Modification Requests
Anstead filed for emergency full custody, which requires showing that the child faces immediate danger. Courts set a high bar for emergency orders because they dramatically change the status quo. His request was denied because the allegations did not meet the threshold for imminent harm.
Social Media and Custody Disputes
Anstead's allegation that Haack was using Hudson for paid social media content touches on an emerging area of family law. Some states are beginning to regulate children's appearances in influencer content, and courts increasingly consider social media exploitation when evaluating custody. Parents should be cautious about monetizing children's images during custody disputes.
Financial Obligations Surviving Divorce
Anstead's obligation to repay $500K+ to Haack's family trust survived the divorce. Loans between spouses or from family trusts are treated as debts, not gifts, unless documentation shows otherwise. Always maintain clear records of any financial transfers during marriage.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Emergency custody modifications require evidence of imminent danger. Disagreements about parenting style typically do not meet this threshold.
- →Be cautious about posting children on social media during custody disputes. Courts increasingly scrutinize this behavior.
- →Document all financial transfers during marriage, especially loans from family members or trusts, to ensure they are properly treated in divorce.
- →Initial divorce agreements can be challenged. If circumstances change significantly, either party can request modifications through the court.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.