Everything We Know About Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence’s Divorce: When They Split, How Kids Factored In and More

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Everything We Know About Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence’s Divorce: When They Split, How Kids Factored In and More

Navigating their new normal. Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence’s relationship had many ups and downs before they called it quits in January 2022 — and their divorce process is no different. The Dancing With the Stars pro began dating the Boy Meets World alum in 2007. The twosome parted ways a year later, but by 2017 they had reconnected and were talking about spending forever together. “I’ve never seen Cheryl so happy and so at peace,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in February 2017. “Matt is a wonderful presence in her life, and I can see this being it for her." Lawrence popped the question in May 2018 and soon thereafter the duo moved in together. One year later, the pair tied the knot in May 2019 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego. In celebration of their first wedding anniversary, the Mrs. Doubtfire actor bought Burke a puppy named Ysabella, whom they welcomed in May 2020. Four months later, The “Pretty Messed Up” podcast cohost revealed that shortly after she and Lawrence got engaged, she decided to cut out alcohol from her life. She celebrated two years of sobriety in September 2020, following the passing of her alcoholic father. One month later, the Dance Moms alum praised the Jumping Ship actor for his constant support amid her sobriety journey. [jwplayer ErPA5dLm-zhNYySv2] “He is just my rock. I don’t know where I would be without him,” Burke said on Good Morning America in October 2020. “When you make a decision, a big decision, a life-altering decision, your friends will change. And, you know, some people will support it. Some people won’t. And at the end of the day, you have to be OK with this.” In addition to her sober struggles, Burke and Lawrence dealt with ups and downs surrounding their pregnancy goals. In April 2020, the Pennsylvania native exclusively told Us that the duo had put their family plans on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re just waiting to see what happens because I think we were going to move, we were going to start that next journey,” Lawrence said at the time. “When this starts to clear out, I think we’ll have a better view or understanding.” The twosome's family dreams never came to fruition with Us confirming in February 2022 that Burke had filed for divorce in Los Angeles after nearly three years of marriage. Scroll through for more on Burke and Lawrence’s split and ongoing divorce: This is an ongoing article originally published in March 2022 and last updated on Monday, March 21. [podcast_block]

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Cheryl Files for Divorce

The professional dancer submitted paperwork in Los Angeles on February 18, 2022, according to court documents obtained by Us. Burke cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split and asked that both she and Lawrence pay their own attorney fees. The papers also noted that the estranged couple have a prenuptial agreement in place.

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Date of Separation

Burke listed January 7, 2022, as the pair’s date of separation, according to court docs. The duo were last seen celebrating Christmas in December 2021, days prior to their split.

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Cheryl Breaks Her Silence

The California native addressed the split via Instagram in February 2022. “I know I have always said I’m an open book with you guys, I do strive to be, and in writing this I’ve realized there really isn’t an easy way to announce that my marriage is ending,” the ballroom pro wrote via social media on February 24. “I hope you can understand that I will not be commenting any further at this time and am asking for understanding and privacy. Thank you all for all the kind words and support you’ve given me.”

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Revisiting Their Wedding Venue

“Taking a few days alone to focus inward, reflect and really try to feel my feelings – with my partner in crime of course ♥️,” Burke captioned a series of Instagram photos in February 2022 while visiting the San Diego reception space where she and Lawrence wed.

She brought their French bulldog, Ysabella, along for the trip. “Some quiet time alone with this girl is just what I needed,” the TV personality added. “Thank you for being my home away from home @fairmontgranddelmar.”

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Were Kids a Factor in the Split?

A source exclusively told Us in March 2022 that the estranged spouses didn’t disagree on starting a family ahead of their separation. The choreographer and the Brotherly Love alum are “keeping divorce matters private,” the insider said, noting that the “reason” for their breakup “was not about having kids.”

The source added, “Cheryl’s taking this time to focus on next steps and focus on her mental health” following the split.

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First Public Appearance

The Hot Chick actor stepped out in March 2022 for the inaugural 90s Con for the first time since news broke of his divorce. Eagle-eyed fans spotted Lawrence without his wedding band while doing interviews with his Boy Meets World costars at the event.

Credit: Courtesy of Cheryl Burke/Instagram

Me Time

Three days after Lawrence made his first public appearance in March 2022, Burke revealed that she was taking time away and enjoying a health and wellness center. “This will officially be my first time at a health & wellness resort and what better way than to spend it with Ysabella and my Mom?!” she wrote via Instagram. “Grateful to have a full week here at the gorgeous [Cal-a-Vie Health Spa].”

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Matthew’s Response

Lawrence filed his response to Burke’s divorce filing in early March 2022, two months after the pair called it quits. His petition asked that his estranged wife pay his attorney fees. Burke, for her part, previously requested that Lawrence pay his own attorney fees.

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Making a Change

In March 2022, Burke's Instagram feed was cleared of her recent photos with Lawrence. The professional dancer also unfollowed her estranged husband's account. Lawrence, who isn't active on social media often, is still following Burke.

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Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Weigh In

“She’s good,” Hough exclusively told Us while attending the Mercedes-Benz Oscar 2022 Viewing Party in March of how Burke is holding up. Erbert chimed in, saying, “I mean, it's a tough thing to go through but she's got a really good support system so that's good.”

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Headed to Trial?

Us confirmed in May 2022 that Burke’s attorney filed a motion requesting a trial setting regarding the dissolution of the former couple’s marriage, spousal support, division of property, attorney fees and other financial costs.

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Moving Foward

Lawrence filed paperwork in June 2022 listing his income for the last 12 months claiming he made $0 because he was self-employed. He outlined his assets in the docs, noting that his personal cash and checking accounts, including savings and other deposit accounts sit at a $5,000 balance. Lawrence, who said he is living with his mom and brother Andrew, listed $200,000 as his assets for “all other property both real and personal.” He also detailed his average monthly expenses, totaling $10,050, per the docs.

Following his submission, a court date to set the divorce trial was determined. The estranged couple will meet at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on September 26, 2022.

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Is Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence's Divorce Finalized?

Six months after filing for divorce, Burke petitioned for an uncontested dissolution, signaling that the former couple likely isn’t fighting over any finances. Their divorce still isn’t finalized as of the September 1 filing.

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Finally Settled

According to documents obtained by Us, the pair finalized their divorce in September 2022. Both Burke and Lawrence agreed to honor their prenuptial agreement that was signed before they got married, with Burke keeping all of her DWTS royalties and earnings, along with residuals and money earned while working with QVC. The Boy Meets World alum, for his part, walked away with his own respective royalties. 

The former couple also agreed to waive any spousal support and to pay their own legal fees. 

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Cheryl's One Constant

Less than a week after finalizing her divorce, Burke was back on TV screens for the season 31 premiere of Dancing With the Stars.

After her first dance with partner Sam Champion, the California native told Us that the reality competition had been part of many "different chapters" in her life, from her engagement to her marriage ending. "It's like, this show, there's one common denominator here and it's Dancing With the Stars, you know?" she said.

Credit: Courtesy of Cheryl Burke/Instagram

The Dog Dilemma

Burke confirmed in October 2022 that she and Lawrence were “officially divorced” but their fight for custody over dog Ysabella had not been settled. She revealed during an episode of her “Burke I the Game” podcast that she would be going to trial in January 2023 to determine who would own the French bulldog.

 “I am still really hurt by the whole situation because that is my dog. Ysabella is my daughter; I am a dog mom,” she told her listeners at the time. “I couldn’t even imagine my life without her. I could just cry right now.”

 The TV personality told Entertainment Tonight that same month how heartbroken she was over the situation. "It sucks because, for me, it's just cruel,” Burke said, noting that Lawrence gave her the pup as a gift on their first wedding anniversary. “I hope that this soon, you know, dies down, and he calls it off. Because you're taking, like, my daughter away from me."