Kim Zolciak has hit back at estranged husband Kroy Biermann‘s claims their four minor children need ‘protection’ from her – as she accused him of ’emotionally and mentally abusing her’ in a blistering new statement.
The pair separately filed for divorce last month, with the split quickly turning ugly as they are both asking for sole physical custody of their kids, with Kroy, 37, asking for sole legal custody as well.
The ex NFL player filed court documents in which he claims Zolciak, 45, has been ‘abusive’ towards him with ‘little concern if the children are present’ – and asked for a legal guardian for the children to ensure their best interests are met.
Zolciak’s attorney David Beaudry told DailyMail.com on behalf of the star: ‘It’s really sad the way Kroy is causing our divorce to play out in the media like this because it could have a profound effect on our children in the long run.
‘To continuously spread lies in an attempt to paint Kim as an unfit mother for his own gain is harmful and incredibly misleading regarding Kim’s efforts to raise her children.
Retort: Kim Zolciak has hit back at estranged husband Kroy Biermann’s claims their four minor children need ‘protection’ from her – as she accused him of ’emotionally and mentally abusing her’ in a blistering new statement (pictured together 2017)
‘Kim has remained quiet through the divorce process thus far for the sake of the children, but with this most recent filing, she has no choice but to speak up. The emotional and mental abuse Kim has suffered from this man for so many years has taken a toll on her and, most heartbreakingly, their children.
‘Kim has always been an extremely devoted mother to her children; they are her entire world and she is always there to love and support them every step of the way.
‘She refuses to allow Kroy to paint her as something she is not for his own gain. Kim looks forward to the day we can appear in court and solve these issues once and for all.
DailyMail.com has contacted Kroy Biermann for comment.
This comes after Biermann filed court documents which state: [Kim] continues to direct, in a derogatory tone, abusive, profane and threat-laden language at [Kroy] with little concern if the children are present.’
He states he fears Zolciak, who is set to make a cameo appearance in the Real Housewives of Atlanta, will discuss their divorce on the show, causing their children to be exposed to behavior ‘that is not beneficial for their mental health and wellbeing.’
Biermann has officially requested for the court to appoint a guardian ad litem for their children – Kroy Jagger ‘KJ’, 12, Kash, 11, and twins Kaia and Kane, nine – to ‘represent their best interests’ amid the divorce and custody battle.
He also wants two people from a local meditation group to ‘immediately’ investigate Zolciak’s behavior, which he has claimed involved gambling and driving recklessly with the children in the car. reports Page Six.
Family: Together the Georgia-based couple have four children: Kroy Jagger (KJ), 12, Kash, 11, and twins Kaia and Kane, nine. Zolciak also has two adult daughters, Brielle, 26, and Ariana, 21, with an ex
He claims Kim hasn’t paid enough attention to the children lately, due to spending too much time on virtual gambling sites, and alleges she has let the children gamble on her account.
He claims he has taken on the lion’s share of the childcare since they let go of their household staff, but says Kim has made a few meals for the kids such as frozen pizza and chicken fingers.
Kroy also denied Kim’s claims he was smoking marijuana and said via the legal document: ‘These allegations provide no other purpose than to harass and defame [Kroy] and put the children at risk of not being permitted to see their father.’
Zolciak has yet to file a legal response to Biermann’s request. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for the pair for comment.
The former NFL athlete also notably adopted Kim’s two daughters from a previous relationship upon tying the knot in 2011: Brielle, 26, and Ariana, 21.
Earlier last month on May 8, Biermann’s and Zolciak’s divorce filing came to light after over 10 years of marriage, citing the separation as April 30 and claiming that the marriage was ‘irretrievably broken.’
Brood: The ex NFL player filed new court documents obtained by the publication in which he claims Zolciak, 45, has been ‘abusive’ towards him with ‘little concern if the children are present’
The divorce has turned bitter in the public spotlight, with a source recently informing Page Six earlier this week that the mother of six has been ‘locked out’ of the former couple’s online store called The Biermann’s Closet.
‘Kim has no access and is locked out,’ the insider stated in an article published on Thursday. ‘So she wants to start a new shop with complete autonomy.’
On Wednesday, the media personality jumped to her Instagram stories to ask her fans and followers to not purchase from the store until a ‘new website’ is launched.
‘Please do not purchase from Biermanns Closet at this time until further notice. Thank you. I will be setting up a new website for all things Kim and kids,’ she penned, followed by a red heart emoji.
The online store contains both new and used clothing from the family’s personal closets, as well as wigs from the star’s salon, with a price range of $1,500 to $2,750.
However, Kroy jumped to his own defense in a statement to Us Weekly on Friday from his lawyer, Marlys Bergstrom. ‘Biermann’s Closet is a family business; Kim designated the items to be sold and Kroy insured that items were listed on the site and delivered to the customer.’
‘Until recently there had been little activity on the site. However, since the divorce, there has been some traffic, and some items have been sold; one being a wig. These are wigs that Kim designated and approved were to be sold on the site; they hadn’t attracted any attention until recently.’
The statement also included, ‘Kroy was just doing what he had always done; he managed the actual logistics of the site and ensured that all items purchased were recorded, processed, and shipped.’
The lawyer also explained to the publication that the sports player has always been ‘integrally involved with Biermann’s Closet.’
Bergstrom further expressed that he, ‘built the website, set up Shopify, set up affiliate marketing for the site with tracking links, took and posted pictures, wrote product descriptions, received, fulfilled, processed and shipped orders.’
A separate source claimed to Us Weekly that Kroy has ‘control’ over the online business. ‘Kroy has control over it. He’s even selling her wigs’ and expressed that Zolciak is currently ‘working on setting up a similar online business of her own.’
The divorce battle has continued to get nasty, with Page Six obtaining a police report dated May 4, where Kim reported a domestic dispute, prompting officers to arrive at their home.
While she claimed Biermann locked away items such as her ‘passport, jewelry and luxury bags,’ in a safe, Kroy explained that they were ‘marital property’ and planned on ‘liquidating them.’
He also alleged that she had a ‘gambling problem’ and also told police that the star punched him in the back of his head, but ultimately chose to not press charges or seek medical attention, per the publication.
Financial woes: The two have also experienced money woes and financial hardships leading up to the divorce, and reportedly owe the IRS a total of $1.1 million in unpaid taxes, according to documents obtained by TMZ
The two have also experienced money woes and financial hardships leading up to the divorce. They reportedly owe the IRS a total of $1.1 million in unpaid taxes, according to documents obtained by TMZ.
The $1.1 million also includes unpaid interest and penalties from the years 2013, 2017, and 2018. The former couple also reportedly owe $15,000 to the state of Georgia due to unpaid taxes from 2018, per the outlet.
Kim and the former NFL player’s five-bedroom mansion in Georgia reportedly entered foreclosure earlier this year in February after the former couple defaulted on their $1.65 million mortgage.
According to TMZ at the time, the home was scheduled to be auctioned off in March, but the plans for the auction were soon canceled.
