By Kiran Kaur 
Karen Weitzul became a global sensation because of her husband, Tom Girardi. He was a highly renowned lawyer for many years, but later he faced numerous legal and financial difficulties.
Karen was Girardi’s first wife, and their marriage lasted almost 20 years before they separated in the early 1980s. After the divorce, Karen lived his life happily and privately, until Girardi’s scandals.
She sued Tom Girardi for failing to pay her support installments for many years. This controversial case made her famous.
In this article, we will explain the controversy surrounding Karen Weitzul and Tom Girardi.
Who is Karen Weitzul?
Karen was born around 1941. She grew up in the Midwest and completed her college degree in California. Later, she attended Loyola Marymount University, where she was a finalist for homecoming queen. During this time, she met Tom Girardi, who had just started his career in law.
Her Marriage to Tom Girardi
Karen and Tom Girardi got married in 1964, and this time, he graduated from Loyola Law School. Tom was not yet famous in the legal world, but he worked as a trial lawyer, handling landmark cases, including those against Pacific Gas & Electric. Their marriage lasted for almost 20 years.
Tom’s career grew quickly, and he became one of the best lawyers in California. However, this beautiful couple got divorced in the early 1980s. Under their divorce agreement, Tom Girardi must pay Karen Weitzul monthly spousal support (alimony).
Life After Divorce
After the divorce, Karen lived a happy, private life in Pasadena, California. She stayed away from the media, didn’t give any interviews, and never reconnected her name with Girardi’s.
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Why Her Name Came Back in the News?
In 2020, everything changed when Tom Girardi’s financial problems became very serious. Some people said that he did not pay his customers what he owed them. His firm went bankrupt because many people sued him.
Because of this, every person who had given money to Girardi came forward. In which many people are included, former clients, business partners, and also Karen Weitzul, his first wife.
The Unpaid Spousal Support Issue
Karen said that Tom Girardi did not pay the full spousal support amount as set forth in the agreement. But she claimed that:
- He paid only part of what he owed
- He just wanted to reduce the monthly charges.
- Tom still owed her approximately $200,000
- He did not want to pay anymore
As of the ongoing case, Girardi was now in bankruptcy. Karen had the right to claim the money that he still owed her.
How the Matter Was Settled?
In the bankruptcy case, all people who were owed money had to submit claims. Along with this, Karen also filed the case. When the case was over, she agreed to receive around $200,000.
Why are People Talking About Her Now?
Karen Weitzul’s story became the hot topic of the Girardi scandal because:
- Tom Girardi is a very famous lawyer and public figure.
- In this case, many celebrities are involved, especially since Girardi later married Erika Jayne, a star on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
- Many people claim that he did not pay his customers what he owed them. Also, Karen argues that Tom is in unpaid agreements of old financial promises.
Conclusion
Karen Weitzul lived a happy and peaceful life, but people began to know about her after Tom Girardi’s court scandal. She was the wife of the famous lawyer. For some reason, they got separated, and in the divorce agreement, Girardi had to pay spousal support. But he did not pay her any monthly amount. Later, she filed a case against him. Her story is a reminder that old deals can still be critical many years later, especially when someone has money problems.