Laura Prepon, a former Scientologist, and her ex-husband, Ben Foster, agreed they would both have a say in their children’s religious upbringing as part of their divorce settlement, In Touch can exclusively report.
In Touch obtained the divorce settlement executed by Laura, 45, and Ben, 44, on April 14. Ben filed for divorce on September 9, 2024, after six years of marriage.
The split turned nasty quick, with Laura accusing Ben of having a history of alcohol abuse.
The actress, who was represented by powerhouse lawyer Larry Hayes Jr., submitted witness declarations from employees who backed up her claims.
One of Laura’s employees wrote, “A more serious concern that I have about Ben’s ability to care for these children relates to his consumption of alcohol around the children.”
The employee continued, “It is my opinion that Ben has an issue with alcohol that needs to be addressed. I have frequently found whiskey in coffee cups that Ben leaves in the children’s rooms.”
Ben denied ever having a problem with drinking. His lawyer, Rose Palermo, told In Touch, “Laura Prepon’s filing is the definition of falsehood and a disturbing fiction.”
Ben’s lawyer fired back at Laura in court.
His lawyer wrote, “[Laura’s] decision to engage in a direct character attack on [Ben] in her response is perfectly illustrative of [Laura’s] compulsion to seize and maintain control over every aspect of family life — regardless of who it hurts — and is also a shining example of why [Ben] chose to file for divorce.”
“[Laura] has demonstrated an obsession with presenting a false public image of herself, and her response is further evidence of her efforts to do so – this time to [Ben] and their children’s detriments — by painting [Ben] in a completely false light and trying to damage the children’s relationship with their father,” his lawyer added.
A couple of months later, Laura and Ben, who share two minor children, were able to hash out a deal and end the drama. Per their divorce settlement, the children will live primarily with Laura but they will share custody.
The deal said both would be flexible due to their busy out-of-state travel for work. The exes agreed Ben would pay $5,500 a month in child support.
The amount was based on Ben’s gross monthly income of $70,509 and Laura’s gross monthly income of $22,205.
The deal said the exes agreed to share joint legal custody.
The deal said Laura and Ben would both have a say in their children’s religious upbringings, educational decisions and extracurricular activities.
Laura, who was a prominent Scientologist for many years, told People at the time, “I’m no longer practicing Scientology.”
The actress announced in 2021 that she had left the Church of Scientology five years prior.
She said, “I’ve always been very open-minded, even since I was a child. I was raised Catholic and Jewish. I’ve prayed in churches, meditated in temples. I’ve studied Chinese meridian theory. I haven’t practiced Scientology in close to five years and it’s no longer part of my life.”
Laura and Ben also agreed to sell off their marital home in Tennessee.
The exes will be listing the pad for $4 million and have picked out a real estate agent.
Laura will be paid nearly $1 million from the net proceeds.
The rest of the proceeds will be split between the two. Laura will be awarded all of her furniture, household goods, tools and other equipment.
A list of personal items that Ben will keep was attached to the deal. The items include various furniture, records, framed photos, clothes, shoes and a steel guitar and a horse sculpture.
Ben was awarded a 2021 Dodge Ram and a 2012 Chevrolet. Laura walked away with a 2023 Land Rover Discovery.
“The parties agrees that all stocks, bonds and cryptocurrency held in the name of either party, individually or as an LLC member or and Inc. member, are awarded to the party in whose name each such stock, bond or cryptocurrency is styled, free and clear or any and all claim by the other party,” the deal read.
The deal said Ben would keep 100 percent interest in his business and Laura will keep her separate business. “Each party shall be, and is hereby, awarded any and all intellectual property of any kind which it titled in his or her respective name, individually or as an LLC member … free and clear of any and all claims of the other party.”
Per the deal, the divorce is officially over.
