Terrence Howard’s soon to be ex-wife Michelle Ghent has been granted a temporary restraining order against her soon to be ex-husband. The former couple’s rocky marriage ended barely one year after it began, and now the two are airing their dirty laundry in court. Her paperwork accuses the actor of hitting her, making threats against her life and chipping her tooth with his wedding ring. His claim denies it all and alleges Ghent tried to extort money from him by threatening to make his “private materials” public.

A reputation of being difficult to work with has long followed Howard around, but there’s a whole lot of difference between pushing artistically and abusing your wife. According to E!, the pair are due back in court in mid-January when a judge will decide whether or not to extend the restraining order. Howard has claimed he tried to stay away from his estranged wife since she moved out, but obviously, that plan hit a wrinkle at some point or he wouldn’t have been ordered by a court to stay away.

Howard has been married twice before, both times to the same woman with whom he has three children. Getting two divorces from one person doesn’t exactly scream great marriage candidate, but judging by the happy red carpet photos, it seems like he and Ghent were happy at least briefly.

Given the serious nature of their charges, it’s probably best for these two to move forward with the divorce, but Pop Blend wishes them nothing but a safe and quick settling of their affairs.