Actress Halle Berry has filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court requesting to reinstate an equal joint custody arrangement for her 13-year-old son, Maceo, with ex-husband Olivier Martinez.
The filing by the Academy Award-winning star comes days after Martinez temporarily secured primary physical custody of the child, alongside a temporary restraining order against Berry following allegations involving an incident on September 26.
Berry categorically denies the allegations made against her by her former spouse, according to reporting by the Daily Mail.
Berry, an American actress known for her Oscar-winning role in Monster's Ball, married French actor Martinez in 2013 after meeting on a film set. The couple had Maceo that same year before separating in 2015 and later establishing a shared 50-50 custody agreement for their son in 2023.
Response to domestic abuse accusations
In her new court documents, Berry stated that she has never physically, emotionally, or in any other way abused Maceo. She emphasized that she is herself a survivor of domestic violence who works to support other victims of domestic abuse.
Berry maintained that she is not a violent person and would never inflict harm on the couple's child. She requested that the court restore the 50-50 custody terms established in 2023 and grant her final decision-making authority whenever the parents reach an impasse regarding their son.
The petition also asks the court to compel Martinez to attend court-ordered therapy sessions intended to support co-parenting and child welfare.
Allegations of unilateral decisions
Berry alleged in the filings that Martinez has taken unilateral control over Maceo's education and extracurricular activities without consulting her beforehand. She claimed his refusal to cooperate has created unnecessary strain on their son's academic progress.
According to Berry, Martinez frequently places their son in the middle of parental disagreements. She stated that the 13-year-old regularly returns from visits with his father feeling angry, combative, and distressed.
Berry further claimed that Maceo was aware of confidential details from private discussions between his parents. She noted that the boy repeatedly echoed disputes regarding his schooling, soccer activities, and therapeutic care, worsening both his emotional state and his relationship with his mother.
Disputes over partner and family therapy
A central point of contention between the former spouses involves Berry's fiance, musician Van Hunt. Berry stated that Martinez has refused to accept her relationship and has blocked Maceo from participating in family therapy sessions alongside her and Hunt.
Hunt, a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter who has been partnered with Berry since 2020, plays a significant role in Maceo's daily life. Berry argued in court that joint family therapy including Hunt is essential to fostering a healthy, stable environment for the boy within their blended family setup.
Response from Olivier Martinez
In response to the filing, Martinez asked the Los Angeles court to reject Berry's requests in their entirety. He pointed to the existing temporary restraining order he obtained against her and reiterated his previous allegations concerning her conduct toward their son.
Martinez also argued that Berry failed to adhere to proper legal procedures when submitting her new custody petitions. Both parties remain locked in a contentious legal battle, presenting contrasting accounts of family dynamics as the court determines which custody arrangement serves the best interests of their son.
