Just when Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus thought their marriage was done and dusted, the former lovebirds are facing the prospect of confronting each other in court next month.
The exes haven’t crossed paths since Liam filed for divorce back in August – but all that could change if they fail to follow new court orders.
In documents made public last week, it’s been revealed the pair – who tied the knot in December 2018 – may have to endure an awkward reunion at a status conference at Stanley Mosk Courthouse in California on January 21.
“It’s sure to get interesting,” a source tells.
“Miley and Liam haven’t really spoken since they called it quits and the tension has been brewing.”
.png?resize=380%2C285)
Another insider tells OK! exclusively that Liam especially is keen to avoid a very public legal stoush with his former flame.
“Miley has no issues in seeing Liam personally,” our source says.
“She actually welcomes the chance to show him how happy she is. But she’d rather it wasn’t in court. Liam, however, hears Miley’s name and feels ill.”
Liam is reportedly keen to avoid a public legal stoush.
(Getty)It’s certainly no way to start the new year, considering they’ve each taken steps to move on romantically.
While Liam was spotted holding hands with Australian actress Maddison Brown, 22, in New York in October, Miley’s been anything but coy about her new relationship with Aussie singer Cody Simpson, 22.
And before that, she splashed photos of herself and short-term ex Kaitlynn Carter, 31, all over social media.
“Liam has been disgusted by how much she’s flaunted her new relationships,” OK!‘s insider adds.
“He still holds a grudge about that.”
Liam has since been linked to Aussie actress Maddison Brown.
(Getty / Instagram)The fact that Miley made insinuations about their marriage in her song Slide Away has annoyed the actor, too.
Before the stars can truly move on though, the legal technicalities around their split must be dealt with.
“Liam especially is dreading a public showdown in court,” an insider close to the pair spills.
“There’s a lot that went on behind closed doors that we don’t know about that could come out.”
But if Liam wants to close the book on his 10-year history with the 27-year-old pop star for good, he’ll need to instruct his high-profile divorce attorney Laura Wasser to move things along.
There are a lot of legal technicalities to deal with between the pair.
(Getty)According to the notice from Los Angeles Superior Court – dated December 3 and addressed to his attorney – the Isn’t it Romantic actor, 29, must “take the appropriate steps in [his] case” if he wants to go ahead with the divorce, which is still ‘not complete’.
If he adheres to the court’s requests, he’ll avoid having to appear opposite his ex-wife at the pre-trial meeting in January.
“Liam wants nothing more than to walk away from this once and for all,” the insider explains.
“He’s keen to avoid going up against Miley so publicly.”
Hopefully both Miley and Liam can avoid a nasty courtroom showdown – and start 2020 completely afresh.
WATCH: Liam Hemsworth references Miley Cyrus in a 2015 interview:
