In a surprising turn of events, professional golfer Rory McIlroy has served his estranged wife, Erica Stoll, with divorce papers at their lavish family home in Jupiter, Florida. According to documents from Palm Beach County court, which were obtained by the Belfast Telegraph, the process server delivered the divorce petition to Stoll in person at their $22 million mansion on the morning of May 13.
This development comes just a day after McIlroy celebrated a victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Mother’s Day. Notably, Stoll, 36, was absent from the event. The court records reveal that McIlroy, 35, had digitally signed the divorce papers on May 9, initiating the formal separation process. Stoll now has 20 days from the service date to respond to the petition, via US Weekly.
The divorce summons issued to Stoll carried a stern warning: “A phone call will not protect you. Your written response, including the case number given above and the names of the parties, must be filed if you want the court to hear your side of the case. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case, and your wages, money, and property may thereafter be taken without further warning from the court.”
The documents also advise Stoll on the urgency of securing legal representation, suggesting, “There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney referral service or a legal aid office (listed in the phone book).”
The couple, who tied the knot in 2017, share a three-year-old daughter named Poppy. Amidst the ongoing proceedings, McIlroy has been linked with sports reporter Amanda Balionis, who is recently single.
As of the last update, there has been no progress on the divorce docket since the papers were served, and no attorney has been listed for Stoll. McIlroy is represented by Thomas Sasser, known for his role as Tiger Woods’ attorney during his high-profile divorce in 2010. The unfolding situation marks a significant chapter in the personal life of the four-time major winner, as he navigates through these challenging circumstances.