Brittany Murphy's Widower, Mom Moving to New York

Simon Monjack tells E! News he and her mom plan to sell the L.A. home where actress died

Talk about an odd couple.

Haunted by the tragic sudden death of Brittany Murphy, her husband, Simon Monjack, tells E! News exclusively that he and Murphy's mom, Sharon, are getting out of Los Angeles. 

"I decided to move back to my apartment in New York as had been my plan with Brittany," Monjack said. "Sharon said that she always loved New York and L.A. is just too painful for her; so would I mind if she moved too? Of course I don't."

Then he quickly clarified: "But I should point out we will be maintaining separate residences."

Phew.

Some things they won't be able to shake, however. They will share custody of Brittany's 1-year-old Maltese, Clara, as well as the bond of tragedy.

"We have been to hell and back together, and we will need each other's support as we continue to grieve," he admitted. "I would not want to be in a different city to Sharon. It was just important to me that Sharon would always have stability."

Monjack said he'd like to purchase a loft in the Big Apple to convert into a photography studio, while Sharon will find her own apartment.

First, though, the elder Murphy must sell the West Hollywood home where Brittany died. It has just been listed for $7.25 million.

Murphy left all of her assets in a blind trust to her mother, who is the sole executor. That includes the 8,000-square-foot mansion sitting on 1.29 acres, which the 8 Mile star bought for $4 million from Britney Spears back in 2003. It's also where she spent her final days before dying accidentally in December from a combination of pneumonia and prescription drugs.

Monjack was left out of the will intentionally, a decision he said he agreed to before marrying the actress.

"It was one of the conditions I married her with," he said. "I knew I would never want for money, and Brittany's high-earning days were a few years behind her. I had not helped build her income the way Sharon had, and I just felt that Brittany's money was rightfully Sharon's if God forbid anything ever happened to Brittany."

Once they sell the West Hollywood digs, they'll make the move to Manhattan. But Monjack said he and Sharon still plan to make frequent trips and may jointly buy a West Coast residence.

"We are looking to purchase a condo in L.A. as one or both of us will be making a once-a-month trip to visit Brittany," Monjack said.

Monjack confirmed yesterday that he will attend this weekend's Academy Awards, where Murphy will be saluted in the In Memoriam segment, and hoped to bring Sharon as his guest.