On the surface, the divorce between Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban seemed remarkably straightforward. Absent were the courtroom dramas, public accusations, or lengthy battles over assets that often accompany high-profile separations.

However, sources indicate that behind closed doors, the negotiations were far from seamless. The primary point of contention reportedly revolved around a significant issue: the custody arrangement for their two teenage daughters.

An insider disclosed to the Daily Mail that the custody of Sunday and Faith emerged as a major sticking point. “Keith initially sought equal custody of their daughters,” the source revealed.

This request, according to insiders, threw Kidman into a period of intense stress.

“It was an especially trying time for Nicole,” the source continued. “After nearly two decades of marriage, she is well aware of Keith’s stubborn streak. She was worried and distressed by the thought that he might not compromise.”

According to those close to the separation talks, the actress fought hard – not out of spite, but out of fear of history repeating itself.

Behind the scenes, insiders say Kidman and Urban’s divorce settlement, reached on January 6, was anything but wrinkle-free, with a fierce fight over one major issue: custody of their two teenage daughters.

‘Nicole also wanted the kids more because she wasn’t given that benefit when she divorced Tom Cruise,’ a second insider said.

When Kidman, 58, divorced Cruise in 2001, they agreed to joint custody of their adopted children Isabella, now 32, and Connor, 30, who ultimately decided to live primarily with their father.

That led to an estranged relationship with Kidman, who reportedly still craves ‘reconciliation’ with her two eldest.

When it came to battling with 58-year-old country star Urban over Sunday, 17, and Faith, 15, logistics are also said to have played a role.

‘Keith has a bunch of tour dates coming up, and his schedule is a little less flexible than Nicole’s,’ the second insider said. 

‘She enjoys being a homebody when she isn’t on set. And if need be, her kids can be on set with her on a more consistent basis – that is a much better atmosphere than backstage at a concert.’

As we now know, ‘Nic won out.’

‘It took a lot of wearing down but Keith finally agreed to her terms,’ the first insider explained. ‘Their daughters, are both in their teens and need their mother more than their father at these ages. Keith knew he’d never win the battle in court and finally backed down. That’s when the divorce was settled.’

Court filings reveal Urban will see his daughters just 59 days the year, every other weekend from Saturday morning to Sunday evening, while Kidman retains primary custody and has them the other 306 days.

Kidman remains in the Nashville family home – a sprawling 7-bed mansion in an exclusive gated community which the couple bought for $3.5 million in 2008 as a primary residence in which to raise their girls.

Urban is understood to have moved out to a nearby residence in the summer last year, with friends now saying that the new schedule without his children has come as something of a shock – particularly after a holiday season spent apart from family. 

While Kidman flew the girls to her native Australia for Christmas, where Faith celebrated her milestone 15th birthday in late December, Urban stayed behind in Nashville.

‘Keith was initially asking for equal time with their daughters. It was an especially stressful time for Nic,’ the insider added. (Pictured: Urban and Kidman with daughters Sunday, second left, Faith, third left).

Court filings reveal Urban will see his daughters just 59 days the year, every other weekend from Saturday morning to Sunday evening, while Kidman retains primary custody and has them the other 306 days. (Pictured: Kidman and the girls at Paris Fashion Week in October).

While Kidman flew the girls to her native Australia for Christmas, where Faith celebrated her milestone 15th birthday in late December, Urban stayed behind in Nashville. (Pictured: Kidman leaving Sydney on January 4).

‘Not being with Faith on her special day was… like a gut punch,’ a friend told Australian magazine New Idea. ‘Keith doesn’t know where home is anymore. He’s completely lost.’

Even Nashville – once the former couple’s shared sanctuary – has become a strange limbo, with each now making solo visits to their local Whole Foods or hairdresser of choice (they share the services of stylist Ashley Wahler).

Urban and Kidman have not been photographed together since June 2025, and he has not been publicly seen with his daughters since news of their split first emerged in September.

Kidman, on the other hand, has visibly rallied around the girls – stepping out with them at Paris Fashion Week in October before the Australia trip for the holidays.

In recent weeks, Urban has bounced from Palm Beach, where he performed at a charity event at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, to Fort Worth, Texas, before returning to Nashville for the Country Music Awards in November.

Work, it seems, is the distraction keeping him upright. 

‘He’s focusing on work because it’s the only structure he has left. But without Nicole and the girls, he has no compass,’ his friend told New Idea.

Kidman, sources say, is already looking ahead. 

According to Woman’s Day, British actress Naomi Watts, a close pal, has floated the idea of the Oscar winner dating fellow Australian actor Simon Baker.

Urban, meanwhile, is beginning to embrace a different perspective.

‘Keith is eager to move forward from divorce as the pain of it is subsiding much quicker than he thought. He is looking to enjoy the single life and follow his one true love – making and performing music,’ the Daily Mail’s second insider said. 

‘He’s interested in letting life happen and if that includes new love, so be it. But he’s not after anyone in particular right this second, nor is he ready to get back on the horse, but if something were to happen, he’d like to enjoy it and not push it away just because he’s now recently divorced. 

‘He’s looking to enjoy his bachelorhood, however that turns out.’

In the wake of the couple’s split last fall, reports soon emerged of ‘another woman’.

Names have been thrown around, including a series of younger musicians on tour with Urban. Most recently, 26-year-old singer Karley Scott Collins has been linked to the country crooner, though no relationship has been confirmed and both camps have declined to comment.

But, says our second insider, ‘his friends and loved ones know that he isn’t the bad guy that some might peg him to be.’

According to Woman’s Day, British actress Naomi Watts, a close pal, has floated the idea of Kidman dating fellow Australian actor Simon Baker (pictured).

Recently, 26-year-old singer Karley Scott Collins (pictured) has been linked to Urban, though no relationship has been confirmed. 

Court documents this week showed the former couple waived all rights to both child support and spousal support, with each paying their own legal fees. 

The divorce decree divides all assets – from vehicles and bank accounts to household goods – to the satisfaction of both parties. 

Kidman waived her right to appear at the hearing, having flown back from Australia just the day before.

With the dust finally settling, friends say Urban is now surrounded by a rotating cast of concerned confidants – who include fellow singers Blake Shelton and Garth Brooks. But even their presence may not fill the void left by the family he came home to for 19 years.

‘This isn’t how Keith saw his life turning out,’ the New Idea insider said. ‘He’s not just adjusting to divorce. He’s mourning the loss of the world he thought he’d grow old in.’

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Urban and Kidman for comment.