Honestly, it feels like we’ve been here before. In July 2024, the internet nearly imploded when news broke: Cardi B files for divorce from Offset. Again. It’s the second time she’s officially walked into a courthouse to end the marriage, but this time feels different. The drama isn't just about a "he said, she said" cheating scandal. It’s about a multi-million dollar empire, three kids, and a tax bill that could make your head spin.
You've probably seen the headlines. "Cardi B is pregnant!" "Offset wants spousal support!" It’s a lot to keep track of. But if you peel back the layers of the Instagram Lives and the cryptic tweets, there's a much more complex legal and financial battle brewing as we move into 2026.
The July Filing and the Baby Surprise
The timing was wild. One day, the news leaks that Cardi filed the paperwork in New Jersey. The very next day? She’s on Instagram baring a beautiful baby bump. Most people assumed it was a "revenge baby" or a messy attempt to fix things. It wasn't. Cardi later confirmed that her third child, a daughter named Blossom, was born in September 2024.
She made it clear on social media that she wasn't choosing between her career and her family. She wanted it all. But "having it all" means navigating a divorce while raising a newborn, a toddler (Wave), and a school-aged daughter (Kulture).
In her filing, Cardi asked for primary custody. She’s been the main caregiver for a while. Offset, meanwhile, isn't just going away quietly. By early 2025, he countered by asking for joint legal custody. He’s fine with the kids living with her, but he wants a seat at the table for the big decisions. Schooling. Doctors. Travel. You know the drill.
Why the Divorce is Still Dragging in 2026
You’d think with all that money, they’d have this settled by now. Nope. The reason the Cardi B files for divorce saga is still active in January 2026 comes down to one thing: Uncle Sam.
Cardi actually went on a rant about this recently. She claimed the only reason she’s still technically married is that someone—hinting at Offset—wants her to help cover their massive tax debts. It sounds like a movie script, but the receipts are real.
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The Financial Mess
- The IRS Liens: Offset has been battling the IRS for a minute. Records show a lien for about $1.57 million from his 2022 earnings.
- The Recent Payment: Just a few weeks ago, in late December 2025, Offset finally paid off that seven-figure debt.
- The Remaining Balance: He’s still on the hook for nearly $500,000 from 2023, plus a state tax bill from Georgia that’s been ballooning with interest.
When you have a spouse with millions in debt and no prenuptial agreement (yes, you read that right), things get sticky. Cardi’s team is likely fighting tooth and nail to make sure her "Invasion of Privacy" royalties don't go toward paying off Offset's old tax bills.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Cheating"
Everyone loves a villain. For years, the narrative was that Offset cheated, Cardi left, Offset bought a $500,000 car, and Cardi came back. Wash, rinse, repeat.
But this 2024-2026 divorce isn't just a reaction to a video of him in a club. Her reps have been firm: this was a long time coming. They grew apart. They were "disconnected." It happens to regular people every day; it just happens to them in mansions with Birkin bags.
Cardi even mentioned she’d been single "for a minute" before the world even knew. She was tired of the arguments. Tired of the "build-up." Honestly, sometimes you just outgrow a person, even if you still love them.
The Stefon Diggs Factor
Then there’s the new romance. By late 2025, Cardi was linked to NFL star Stefon Diggs. This isn't just tabloid fodder—it actually affects the legal proceedings.
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In a high-profile divorce, a new partner can complicate child support math. If Cardi is building a new life and potentially has more children (which she has hinted at), the court has to look at how much she can realistically provide to her children with Offset versus her responsibilities elsewhere.
Offset reportedly filed for spousal support in 2025. Yeah, the internet hated that. But legally, if she’s the higher earner—and with her brand deals and music, she likely is—he has a right to ask. It doesn't mean he'll get it, but it adds another six months of lawyer meetings to the calendar.
The Reality of Celebrity Co-Parenting
Despite the "die slow" comments on Instagram and the heated Lives, the two are still tethered together. They’ve been spotted at the same events for their kids. They have to be.
- Kulture (7): She’s old enough to see the headlines now.
- Wave (4): Stuck in the middle of the transition.
- Blossom (1): Born into the middle of a legal war.
Cardi has been open about the costs of her lifestyle. Private school for the kids is $45,000. Security is round-the-clock. Drivers, chefs, the whole nine yards. She claims her monthly overhead is close to $3 million. When the stakes are that high, you don't just sign a paper and walk away. You fight for every cent.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Bardi Split
We aren't all Grammy-winning rappers, but the Cardi B files for divorce situation teaches some pretty heavy lessons about real-life relationships.
- Get a Prenup: Even if you think you’re "broke" when you get married. Cardi and Offset wed secretly in a bedroom in 2017. They didn't have the "business talk" until they were already icons. That was a mistake.
- Tax Debt is Marital Debt: In many states, if your spouse owes the IRS, you might too. Keep your finances somewhat transparent so you aren't blindsided during a split.
- Social Media Isn't Reality: Just because they were posing together at the Met Gala doesn't mean they weren't sleeping in separate rooms. Don't compare your "boring" marriage to their highlight reel.
- Put the Kids First: Despite the vitriol, both have tried to keep the kids out of the direct line of fire. Seeking "primary residence" while allowing "joint legal custody" is often the most stable path for children.
As of today, the divorce is still pending. They are legally "separated" but effectively moving in totally different orbits. Cardi is focused on her next era—which fans hope includes an actual album—while Offset is busy cleaning up his financial past. It's a messy, expensive, and very human ending to one of hip-hop's biggest eras.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Bergen County court filings. That's where the real story is written, far away from the TikTok filters and the paparazzi flashes. Protecting your assets and your peace of mind is the ultimate "money move."