Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry has asked a Los Angeles court to reinstate the 50/50 custody arrangement she previously shared with her ex-husband, actor Olivier Martinez, for their 13-year-old son, Maceo, amid an increasingly bitter legal battle over their child.Berry, 60, made the request in a series of legal filings submitted Monday, days after Martinez was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against her following allegations that she had physically abused their son during an incident on September 26. Berry has strongly denied the allegations and maintains that she has never physically, emotionally or otherwise abused Maceo.According to court documents reviewed by the Daily Mail, Berry has asked the Los Angeles Superior Court to restore the custody arrangement she and Martinez had in 2023. She is also seeking to be given tie-breaking authority on important decisions involving their son and wants Martinez to comply with court-ordered therapy sessions.
Halle Berry denies allegations of abusing son Maceo
In an ex parte application filed Monday, Berry directly addressed the allegations against her and characterized herself as a victim of domestic violence.“I have never physically, emotionally, or otherwise abused Maceo,” Berry said in the filing. “I am a victim of domestic violence, and I help victims of domestic violence. I am not a perpetrator of violence. I would never hurt our child.”Berry’s latest court filing comes as her custody dispute with Martinez escalates. The former couple, who were married from 2013 to 2016, have previously been involved in legal disagreements over the care and upbringing of their son.Martinez, 60, recently sought legal protection following the September 26 incident, alleging that Berry had been physically abusive toward Maceo. The actress has denied those claims.
Halle Berry accuses Olivier Martinez of making unilateral decisions
In her latest filing, Berry outlined several concerns regarding what she described as Martinez’s conduct in their co-parenting relationship.She alleged that Martinez has continued to make “unilateral” decisions concerning Maceo’s education and extracurricular activities without informing her or obtaining her consent.Berry also claimed that Martinez has repeatedly placed their son in the middle of disagreements between the former couple. According to her filing, she believes their ongoing conflict has affected Maceo’s behavior and their relationship.The actress claimed that Maceo would sometimes return from visits with his father appearing angry and combative. She said he would talk back to her, behave untruthfully and engage in what she described as “sneaky” behavior.Berry further alleged that it could take two to three days for Maceo to readjust after returning home from Martinez’s care, claiming that a similar pattern would repeat when he went back to his father.
Halle raises concerns over Maceo’s education and mental health support
A significant part of Berry’s filing focuses on what she describes as disagreements over Maceo’s educational and therapeutic needs.She claimed Martinez has refused to take necessary steps to secure educational and psychoeducational services for their son. Berry also alleged that Maceo’s soccer activities have been used as leverage during disagreements over his educational and therapeutic needs.According to Berry, Martinez has portrayed her as a risk to their son by allegedly communicating what she described as false stories to Maceo’s teachers and therapists.Berry argued that Martinez’s alleged lack of cooperation regarding their son’s psychological and educational needs has been detrimental to his overall welfare.She further claimed that delays in obtaining early intervention had allowed Maceo to fall further behind in school, worsened his acting-out behavior and caused additional strain in her relationship with him.
Halle Berry says Maceo should not make major decisions himself
Berry also addressed Martinez’s alleged view that their son is old enough to make certain decisions for himself.According to the actress, Martinez has told her that Maceo should be allowed to make his own decisions in order to keep him happy and improve his relationship with his mother.Berry said she remains attentive to her son’s thoughts and feelings and encourages open communication with him. However, she argued that a child should not be responsible for making major decisions concerning education, healthcare, extracurricular activities and general welfare.The actress has therefore asked the court to restore a structure in which both parents have equal authority, while giving her the final say when they cannot reach an agreement.
Halle Berry brings fiance Van Hunt into custody dispute
Berry’s relationship with musician Van Hunt has also emerged as an issue in her latest legal filing.The actress claimed that Martinez has refused to accept Hunt’s presence in their family and said her fiancé plays an important role in Maceo’s life.Berry alleged that Martinez’s lack of acceptance of Hunt has prevented Maceo from participating in family therapy involving Berry and Hunt. She argued that such therapy could help establish a healthier environment for their son as part of their blended family.The issue is another point of contention between the former spouses as they disagree over how Maceo should be supported emotionally and therapeutically.
Olivier Martinez asks court to reject Halle Berry’s requests
Martinez has pushed back against Berry’s latest filing and asked the court to reject the requests she has made.In a responsive declaration, Martinez cited the temporary restraining order he obtained after alleging that Berry had physically abused their son. He also claimed that Berry had not followed the appropriate protocols when submitting her requests and suggested that the filings were intended, at least in part, to influence the public narrative surrounding their custody dispute.Neither side has backed down from its respective position, with Berry denying that she poses any danger to Maceo and Martinez maintaining his allegations.
Custody battle intensifies between former couple
Berry and Martinez have been involved in a complicated custody dispute for years, with disagreements reportedly extending to education, therapy, extracurricular activities and parenting decisions.Their latest legal battle comes at a particularly contentious moment, with the temporary restraining order and competing custody requests placing their son’s welfare at the center of the court proceedings.A source previously cited by Daily Mail described the relationship between the former couple as extremely strained, claiming there is significant animosity between them.As Berry seeks to restore the 50/50 custody arrangement and greater decision-making authority, Martinez is asking the court to maintain the restrictions arising from his recent allegations. Berry has denied the allegations against her, and the competing claims remain part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
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