Donovan Michaels, the estranged husband of billionaire media mogul David Geffen, has dropped a civil lawsuit against the former record executive that accused him of breaching a promise of “lifelong financial support,” according to court documents filed Friday.
The lawsuit, which Michaels, 32, filed in July during his high-profile divorce from Geffen, 82, was dismissed “without prejudice” on October 17 in Los Angeles Superior Court. This means Michaels retains the right to refile the lawsuit at a later time.
Neither Michaels nor Geffen’s legal representatives have issued statements in response to the recent filing. In July, however, Geffen’s attorney Patty Glaser strongly denied the allegations, stating that “there was no contract—express, written, oral, or implied—that has ever existed.” She added at the time that her client would be “vigorously and righteously defending against this false, pathetic lawsuit.”
A Lavish Love Story Turned Legal Drama
Geffen, whose estimated net worth is over $8.7 billion (per Forbes), filed for divorce on May 16, citing irreconcilable differences after less than two years of marriage. The pair tied the knot in March 2023 but reportedly separated on February 22, 2025.
In his divorce filing, Geffen indicated a willingness to provide spousal support and cover Michaels’ legal fees. Michaels formally requested spousal support on May 27 and asked for “all other relief the Court deems just and proper.”
Notably, the couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement, according to court records — a significant detail given Geffen’s vast financial portfolio and the brevity of the marriage.
Allegations of Exploitation and Broken Promises
In his now-dropped lawsuit, Michaels, who also goes by David Armstrong, painted a striking picture of a relationship that allegedly began as a transactional encounter and evolved into what he called a “Marvin-type partnership” — a legal term referring to relationships that may merit support despite no legal marriage.
According to the July complaint, Michaels alleged the two met on SeekingArrangements.com, a sugar dating platform, where Geffen reportedly paid him $10,000 for sex on their first meeting. The suit claimed the relationship grew into a committed partnership, with Geffen allegedly promising lifelong support, shared assets, and emotional commitment.
Michaels alleged that he gave Geffen his “body, love, labor, and youth,” and that the billionaire’s promises amounted to an oral contract that he later violated.
When the relationship dissolved, the complaint accused Geffen of initiating a “calculated pattern of abuse and commodification,” including eviction and financial cutoff. Michaels’ attorneys described the case as an exposé of the “stark power dynamic” between a billionaire and a marginalized younger partner, likening it to Trading Places.
Though the lawsuit has been withdrawn, the divorce proceedings are still ongoing, and both parties have been ordered to share financial disclosures with the court as part of the process.
Under California law, spousal support in marriages lasting less than 10 years typically does not extend beyond the duration of the marriage. However, given the absence of a prenuptial agreement, Michaels could still be entitled to a share of earnings accumulated during the marriage.
Whether the dropped civil suit is a sign of private negotiations behind the scenes or a strategic legal recalibration remains to be seen. As of now, Michaels retains the right to revive the case, leaving the door open for future litigation.
