Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Inside the Endless Legal Battle of Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Lockwood

Lisa Marie Presley's Husband Michael Lockwood
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Just when everyone thought Lisa Marie Presley‘s spouse, Michael Lockwood, would be the man she’d spent the rest of her life, things ended up a little messy instead. It is already the fourth marriage and divorce for the singer-songwriter.

Ever since their separation, the former couple has been embroiled in a never-ending custody battle. They are set to go to trial over visitation rights, custody, and child support amounts on July 20, 2020. But before that day comes, let’s take a glimpse of Presley and Lockwood’s complicated relationship. 

Michael Lockwood Is a Musician Too

Michael Lockwood is an American guitarist and music producer known for producing and performing with Aimee Mann, Ben Taylor, Bijou Phillips, Fiona Apple, and of course, Lisa Marie Presley, among others. He executive-produced Presley’s second album in 2005, Now What, which featured collaborations with Pink, ex-Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones and songwriter Linda Perry.

Lockwood’s career in music started in 1985 when he joined the already established but yet unsigned Hollywood group Lions & Ghosts. They later on signed with EMI America Records and recorded their first album in London. They disbanded in 1989 after releasing a second record and when several members had changed. Lockwood then formed a local power pop band, Wink with Brian Keats, Michael Marquesen, and Tony Babylon.

In 2012, Lockwood became the main guitarist for Lisa Marie’s ‘Storm & Grace’ tour.

Lisa Marie and Michael Walked Down the Aisle in 2006

Lisa Marie Presley married Michael Lockwood on January 22, 2006, in a traditional Japanese ceremony in Kyoto, Japan. It was the fourth marriage for Lisa Marie, who has previously exchanged vows with Michael Jackson, Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage and songwriter Danny Keough, the father of her two children.

Danny served as the best man at the Kyoto ceremony, while the bride’s mother, actress Priscilla Presley, walked the bride down the aisle.

They Have Two Children Together

Lisa Marie Presley’s children with Michael Lockwood were born on October 7, 2008. They are fraternal twins Harper Vivienne and Finley Aaron.

They Call It Quits Ten Years After

After ten years of marriage, Lisa Marie Presley filed for divorce from Michael Lockwood, citing irreconcilable differences. And there’s definitely no going back for the two. “They’re not trying to work it out and get back together,” Ronald Litz, Lisa Marie’s lawyer, told PEOPLE. “She’s done.”

As for why Lisa Marie called it quits, Litz said it was two-fold, having to do with the couple’s finances and their girls. “He apparently was in charge of her assets throughout the marriage and didn’t do what he should have done on a fiduciary basis,” Litz explained. The couple did not have a prenuptial agreement, though they drew up one in 2007. Still, the lawyer claimed, “He took advantage of her.”

But Things Even Get Messier

Lisa Marie has also requested full custody of their twin daughters. As her legal representative said, Michael had problems when it comes to being a good father. One of the most impacting things of their divorce case was when the former Lisa Marie Presley’s husband reportedly had plenty of inappropriate photos and videos of children on his computer.

In the wake of the dispute, the couple’s twin daughters were placed under the supervision of the California Department of Children and Family Services. They have been allowed to live with their grandmother, Priscilla Presley, at that time. Lockwood has not been charged with a crime, and his attorney denied the claims made by Presley.

In December 2019, he was ordered to pay Lisa Marie’s attorney fees, a sum that reaches a whopping $140,000. But Michael recently hit back demanding in documents that Lisa pays his legal fees, which he said a total of $180,000 because he claimed she earns $1million a year while he barely makes ends meet.

An ugly fight is ahead for the estranged couple. Lisa Marie and Michael’s bitter and long-running legal battle is set to be heard three days a week from July 27 to August 31, 2020. Apart from money, the trial will determine custody arrangements for the couple, child support, and so much more. 

At the moment, they share joint legal custody of the twins, but Michael only has supervised visits with the twins three times a week while Lisa Marie has physical custody.

Michael Lockwood Is Now Engaged

Michael Lock is now engaged to hairstylist Stephanie Hobgood. According to reports, he popped the question in 2018 over a romantic dinner in Los Angeles, and his bride-to-be is already said to be planning their big day. 

“He never expected to find love at a time like this, but Stephanie has stood by him every step of the way, and they are crazy about each other,” a source told Radar. According to the outlet, the father of two even “wrote a letter to [Stephanie’s] father to ask for her hand in marriage.”

When it was time for Michael to propose, he “presented her with his grandmother’s diamond ring from the 1950s,” the outlet added. “[Stephanie] sat there in silence for a while as he got down on one knee, she then realized he was serious and said yes.”

Latest Stories

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian smiling outdoors, not taken when she spoke about feeling hated after their affair scandal.

LeAnn Rimes Says So Many Women Hated Her After Affair With Eddie Cibrian and She Felt Like a Target

Ain’t every country ballad pretty, and LeAnn Rimes knows her verse is messy as hell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) Back in ...

Jana Kramer with husband Allan Russell and her kids outdoors, not taken when she admitted she sometimes skips sunscreen.

Jana Kramer Admits She Skips Sunscreen Sometimes on Her Kids and Feels Fine About It

“Come at me.” That’s Jana Kramer’s whole vibe right now, and boy, they sure are. Turns out you don’t have to drop a scandalous album or torch an ex on ...

Kenny Rogers’ twin sons Justin and Jordan just turned 21 and fans say they look just like the late country music legend now.

Kenny Rogers’ Twin Sons Just Turned 21 and Fans Say They Look Just Like Him Now

A couple of chocolate cakes, two wide grins, and a whole lot of “They look just like their daddy”. That’s how Kenny Rogers’ twin sons rang in their milestone 21st ...

Waylon Jennings once called Garth Brooks the most insincere person he ever saw

Waylon Jennings Once Said Garth Brooks Was the Most Insincere Person He Ever Saw

Sometimes you need an old outlaw to call out what everyone else is too polite to say out loud. Back when Nashville was shape-shifting in the ’80s and ’90s, country ...