Dwight Howard divorce drama is heating up, and it’s getting messy. Amy Luciani is calling out the retired NBA star for allegedly dragging out their split and running up her legal bills in the process. It’s the kind of situation that shows how complicated high-profile separations can become, especially when there’s an income disparity at play.
In court documents filed Monday in Georgia, Luciani—whose legal name is Amber Rose Howard—is alleging that Howard sought a protective order earlier this year just to “harass and humiliate” her after their separation. She’s also claiming the move was designed to cause “unnecessary delay” and force her to pay more in attorney fees. With their financial situations being so different, Luciani says Howard knew exactly what he was doing. You can find more on Dwight Howard divorce cases and celebrity legal battles online.
Howard reportedly withdrew that protective order back in April, but the damage to their case was done. Luciani has denied all the allegations in Howard’s original petition and is asking the court to dismiss it entirely—and have Howard cover her legal expenses while they’re at it. The 36-year-old is standing firm in her position.
Here’s where it gets real: the couple got married, then Luciani filed for divorce in 2025. They reconciled and dismissed that case, but Howard filed again in March. It’s a back-and-forth that’s clearly taken an emotional toll, and it shows how complicated matters of the heart can become when lawyers and courtrooms get involved.
The financial piece is significant too. Luciani’s attorney, Brittany M. Dixon, documented that her client has already accumulated $9,454.05 in legal fees since Howard filed for divorce. Dixon logged 27.5 hours on this matter alone—time that costs money, and it all adds up quickly.
On the bright side, both sides recently agreed to a confidentiality order on Tuesday, which allows information about Howard’s income, assets, and business interests to be shared with Luciani while staying sealed from the public. It’s a small step toward moving things forward, but the road ahead still looks complicated for everyone involved.
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