The once-enviable union between actress Lori Loughlin and fashion mogul Mossimo Giannulli is unraveling into a high-stakes financial showdown, nearly three decades after they walked down the aisle. The couple, who are now "living apart and taking a break," are bracing for a contentious legal battle over a prenuptial agreement that threatens Loughlin's stake in the estimated $80 million family fortune.

Despite their representatives confirming the separation, insiders reveal that the delay in official divorce proceedings is strategic, as Loughlin's attorneys gear up to challenge the prenuptial agreement signed back in November 1997. This agreement, which features a stringent "separate property clause," could severely restrict Loughlin’s access to the wealth accumulated during the marriage.

The couple's split, which emerged publicly this month, marks a tumultuous finale to the fallout from the infamous 2019 college admissions scandal. Both served time in federal prison, and despite presenting a unified front during their trials, the ordeal reportedly set them on divergent paths in personal recovery, with Loughlin focusing on her career and public image rehabilitation.

Sources close to Loughlin cite Mossimo's unchanged lifestyle and behavior as the breaking point for the actress, who felt increasingly isolated from her husband. This emotional distance culminated in the couple's decision to sell their luxurious $16.5 million Hidden Hills mansion, signaling a definitive end to their marital cohabitation.

At the heart of the impending legal battle is the robust prenup, which was designed to protect Mossimo's significant assets, including his successful clothing brand, amassed prior to their marriage. Legal experts suggest that if the prenup holds, Loughlin could be excluded from claiming any increase in those assets’ value, a typical scenario in high-net-worth separations.

However, Loughlin is not merely contesting the division of assets. Her legal team is preparing to argue that the prenup might be invalid or unenforceable based on factors like inadequate disclosure, subsequent modifications, or its terms becoming unconscionable over time. They aim to secure a settlement that reflects her contributions to the family and her own professional earnings.

Los Angeles family law attorney Samuel R. Williamson explains, “While a prenuptial agreement in California can dictate asset division and alimony, it cannot resolve child custody or support issues. Those are always determined by the courts based on what is best for the children involved.”

With all divorce filings currently paused until Loughlin’s legal advisors can challenge the prenup's validity, the stage is set for what could become one of Hollywood’s most high-profile and expensive divorce cases in recent memory.