Divorce in the world of the Real Housewives of Orange County is basically a rite of passage. But when Jennifer Pedranti joined the cast in Season 17, her split from William Pedranti felt different. It wasn't just about "growing apart" or a sudden blowout at a dinner party. It was messy. It was public. And honestly, it involved a lot more than just a broken marriage; it involved a complex family business, five kids, and a massive financial fallout that left the reality star in a pretty tight spot.
William, or "Will" as he's known, wasn't just some guy Jenn married in her twenties. They were together for 18 years. That’s nearly two decades of building a life, only for it to crumble under the weight of an "emotional affair" and a job situation that sounds like something out of a corporate drama.
The Man Behind the Headlines: Who is William Pedranti?
Will isn't a "househusband" looking for fame. Far from it. He’s actually a high-powered biotech executive and an attorney. While Jenn was managing their busy home and her yoga studio, Will was climbing the ladder in the life sciences world.
He recently took over as the President and CEO of Visgenx, a biotech company focused on gene therapy for eye disorders. Before that, he co-founded a venture firm called PENG Life Science Ventures. He’s got the pedigree—he graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law.
But there’s a twist.
For a long time, Will worked for Jenn’s family business, which created an incredibly awkward dynamic once they split. Imagine your husband being paid by your father, then using that money to pay you. It’s a lot. When the marriage ended, Will moved out to Oklahoma to continue working for that family business, which left Jenn in Orange County trying to figure out how to pay $10,000-a-month rent on a yoga teacher's salary.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Jenn Pedranti Divorce
There is this huge misconception that Jenn just left Will for Ryan Boyajian and that was that. It’s way more complicated. Will filed for divorce in March 2022, but the separation date goes back to January 2021.
The timeline is a major point of contention.
Tamra Judge, never one to let a secret stay secret, famously accused Jenn of cheating on Will with Ryan. Jenn has always maintained it was an "emotional affair" that happened while her marriage was already essentially over. But Will? He wasn't exactly thrilled. The court documents show a battle that dragged on for years, with Will accusing Jenn of making him look like a villain on TV.
The Eviction Scandal
Remember when Jenn got evicted? That was a low point.
Will claimed Jenn signed a lease on a massive house without his approval and expected him to foot the bill. Jenn, on the other hand, claimed Will wasn't paying her the settlement money she was owed from the sale of their home. She told the court she literally moved in with Ryan because she had no other choice. She was broke.
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- The Settlement: In July 2024, the divorce was finally settled.
- The Payout: Will was ordered to pay Jenn a low six-figure lump sum (roughly $267,000) and monthly child support of $4,674.
- The Spousal Support: He also had to pay $1,735 a month in spousal support, but that ends the second she marries Ryan.
The Custody Battle: A Sudden Shift
For a long time, they had joint custody. That’s the standard, right? But in a surprising turn of events in late 2024, the arrangement shifted.
Jenn was awarded sole physical custody of their three minor children: Greyson, Everleigh, and Dominic. Their older kids, Harrison and Dawson, are basically adults now, with Dawson even heading off to the military.
Why the change?
The court documents aren't totally clear on the "why," but the new rules are strict. Will has to give Jenn one hour's notice before he wants to see the kids. It’s a far cry from the "we're in a good place" narrative Jenn tried to push during her first season.
There was even a court order for co-parenting counseling. A judge basically had to tell them to stop talking trash about each other in front of the kids. Will had complained that Jenn’s interviews and the show were damaging his reputation.
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Life After the Split
Will has mostly stayed off the screen. He’s reportedly in a new relationship and "happier than ever," according to Jenn's past comments. He’s focused on his career in biotech, likely trying to distance himself from the Bravo cameras that documented his messy exit from his wife's life.
Jenn is moving forward too. She’s engaged to Ryan. She’s living in his house. But she still carries a lot of "divorce guilt." She recently admitted she feels like a "fraud" when doing traditional wedding prep because of how her first marriage ended.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're following this saga, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding how these reality TV divorces actually work:
- Public Records vs. TV Narratives: What you see on RHOC is the "vibe," but the court documents are the reality. The fight over the $24,000 in back rent was a cold, hard legal fact, not just a storyline.
- The "Business" of Divorce: When family businesses are involved, divorces take years, not months. The fact that Will worked for Jenn's family made the financial untangling a nightmare.
- The Impact on Kids: Despite the glamor of the show, these are real kids. The move to sole physical custody suggests a significant breakdown in the co-parenting relationship that cameras didn't fully capture.
Ultimately, the story of William Pedranti is a reminder that even the "quiet" husbands have a lot of power when the cameras stop rolling. He might not want the spotlight, but he certainly made his presence felt in the courtroom.
To stay truly informed on the case, keep an eye on the Orange County Superior Court filings, as the financial disputes over spousal support and settlement payments are still ongoing into 2026. Understanding the nuances of California's community property laws and how cohabitation affects alimony can provide a much clearer picture of why Jenn is in the financial position she's in today.