Reality TV fans were first introduced to Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s relationship on Vanderpump Rules. The former couple later starred in their own spinoff, The Valley, which follows their transition from a partying lifestyle to raising a family in California’s San Fernando Valley.

In Season 2, Jax and Brittany face a difficult separation while Jax seeks treatment in rehab for his mental health. Their relationship had grown increasingly strained, with Jax rage-texting Brittany and even spying on her during his time away. Just one day before Jax completed his rehab stay, Brittany filed for divorce. However, their split has been far from simple, as the couple continues to co-parent their young son, Cruz.

Jax Taylor Reveals Why He Sleeps At Brittany Cartwright’s House Despite Their Separation

Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s separation has been anything but smooth. Fans have watched the former couple get into intense arguments and plenty of disagreements on Season 2 of The Valley, but it seems that things have since settled down once cameras stopped rolling, especially when it comes to co-parenting their son, Cruz.

During an episode of The Valley After Show, Jax revealed that he would sleep in the home he once shared with Brittany for the sake of Cruz, explaining that he doesn’t was to “uproot” him. The statement came as a surprise to fans, especially given how turbulent his relationship with Brittany has been throughout the season.

“A lot of times I like to go stay at the house—our house,” he shared. “That way it doesn’t uproot him. That way he has his pool. He has his house. His room. I’ll just stay at the house. She’s comfortable with me doing that.”

In the same episode, Jax also shared that he and Brittany don’t have a formal co-parenting schedule due to their demanding work commitments. However, he noted that they’re able to communicate amicably to coordinate care for Cruz, especially when one of them needs to travel.

“We don’t have a set schedule because obviously Brittany and my schedule is very crazy. Every Wednesday, ever other weekend, that’s the goal. But right now it’s like, ‘Can you grab him? Can you get him for a couple of nights? I need to go to New York because we travel a lot,'” Jax shared.

In an episode of Brittany’s When Reality Hits podcast, she admitted that co-parenting could be really difficult.

“So co-parenting can be extremely hard,” she began. “It’s hard to give your child away and you’re used to being with them 100 percent of the time, and it can be difficult. But Jax loves his son, he does. It’s just big personality.” Brittany also seemed to agree that their schedules have made things that much more harder, but she has seen Jax “step up” in his role as a father.

“I think that Jax is working a lot harder now than he was within the past two months. I think within the past couple of weeks, he’s really trying to step up and be better. And I’m hoping it continues on that way. I’m just always waiting for things to crash because that’s just been my life lately and it sucks to feel that way,” she shared.

Jax Gets Served Divorce Papers On The Valley Season 2

In Episode 10 of The Valley, Jax is in his new condo after moving out of his Valley home with Brittany. However, his move isn’t entirely smooth as he gets a knock on the door and is served divorce papers. The moment is captured all on camera.

During The Valley After Show, Jax admitted he wasn’t surprised by Brittany’s divorce filing, saying he saw it coming. Fans have previously watched an episode of Season 2 as Brittany visits a divorce lawyer and begins the process just one day before Jax completes rehab. After Brittany detailed Jax’s troubling behavior — including rage-texting, spying on her, and leaving her with an awful financial situation on their home — the lawyer urged her to file immediately.

“Did I know the divorce was coming? Yes,” Jax began. “I mean, I would have filed if she didn’t. But, I was just shocked with how it came about,” he said, noting how he was served paperwork at his new condo on camera. “I propositioned Brittany, maybe we should just mediate this, and she said, ‘F*** no I’m going to get divorced.'”

Brittany filed for divorce from Jax in August 2024, right when he exited rehab after a 30-day stay. The filing came six months after the couple announced their separation. Jax revealed that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. Additionally, he also revealed his struggle with substance-abuse addiction.

“It’s been a lot to process and an emotional time for me, however I’ve come home to my son with a new found sense of peace,” he shared (via People). “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared for the future but my focus is just trying to be a better version of myself than I was yesterday. Mental health is a lifelong battle of not letting it control you but rather you learning to control it.”

Brittany Revealed She Would Still Have Been Married To Jax If It Wasn’t For Their Son

Brittany’s driving force for filing for divorce from Jax was their son, Cruz. During a March episode of the I Do, Part 2 podcast, she admitted that if she and Jax hadn’t had a child together, she likely would have stayed in the relationship. However, witnessing how toxic things had become, especially in front of Cruz, ultimately opened her eyes and pushed her to make the difficult decision to separate.

“Cruz is my driving force to be happier and to be a better person,” Brittany said. “And to be in a space where I feel comfortable and be a better mom for him. I feel like I just had so much stress and pressure every day in my life.”

Brittany continued, “If I didn’t have him, I probably would have stayed with Jax for the rest of my life. feel like I loved Jax so much and I really was into this life and this marriage with him. I thought he was going to be my forever person. And having Cruz and seeing how I was treated in front of my son really opened my eyes. I think for a lot of women, you just as so blinded by love that you don’t really realize everything that you’re going through.”

As of this writing, Brittany and Jax’s divorce has not yet been finalized. Still, it’s clear the former couple is making an effort to co-parent amicably, prioritizing Cruz’s well-being and doing their best to give him a stable and loving upbringing.