Mel B Ordered to Pay Ex-Husband Spousal Support Despite Abuse Claims

Former Spice Girls member, Melanie Brown, known as Mel B, has been ordered by the courts to pay her estranged husband, Stephen Belafonte a whopping $40,000 per month in temporary spousal support.

In court documents obtained exclusively by PEOPLE, the 42-year-old singer and America’s Got Talent star must pay his spousal support request and, as ordered by the judge, pay for $140,000 in attorney and forensic fees on Belafonte’s behalf.

Up Next: Mel B Blasts Ex Stephan Belafonte for ‘Exorbitant’ Divorce Demands

Brown filed for divorce in March after nearly 10 years of marriage, while seeking joint custody legal and physical custody of their 5-year-old daughter, Madison. The former Spice Girl also requested to terminate the court’s ability in granting Belafonte spousal support in her filing. A month later, she filed a temporary restraining order, accusing him of physical and emotional abuse.

Last month, it was reported by The Daily Star that Brown filed court documents objecting to Belafonte’s list of financial requests, which include $4,300 per month for groceries.

Brown also objected to Belafonte’s request for $2,000 per month for clothing, $11,000 per month for housing and $750 for a monthly cell phone bill. She called the cellphone bill an “exorbitant” cost for one device.

She returned to work on the NBC talent show earlier this spring, with co-star, Howie Mandel saying Brown has found support in her onscreen friends.

“We all go through tough times and we need people around us who care and matter and are there and are strong for us — and we’re all there for her,” Mandel told PEOPLE.

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