Hollywood custody battle: Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez face off
Hollywood star Halle Berry is battling her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, in court over the custody of their 10-year-old son Maceo. According to court documents obtained by People magazine, Berry accuses Martinez of delaying the legal process, which she believes harms their son. On the other hand, Martinez claims that the actress is trying to exploit the situation against him.
Halle Berry states in documents to which the media have gained access that their son Maceo has learning difficulties, being "grade levels" behind his peers. The star's son has been diagnosed with ADHD, specific learning disabilities, and mild dyslexia. The actress argues that the French actor ignores or dismisses their son's issues, which, in her view, disqualifies him from being a capable custodian who can make decisions on Maceo's behalf.
Documents presented by Berry suggest that Martinez seeks to delay the trial to obtain more money from the actress. Berry also alleges that Martinez's arguments about needing experts are baseless, as the individuals she has chosen to testify in the case are well-acquainted with Maceo.
In his documents, which People also obtained, Martinez counters that Berry is not giving him enough time to prepare for the case and is trying to push for a quick resolution, which would deprive him of his right to defence. Martinez claims that Berry, who earns millions of dollars, refuses to support him in paying legal counsel while simultaneously seeking sole custody of their son.
Halle Berry wants sole custody of her son
In mid-August, Berry filed for sole custody of Maceo, detailing how she has tried to address her son's educational difficulties, fighting for tutoring, academic assessment, and finding an appropriate environment for his needs. Berry contends that Martinez has opposed such solutions for years and has not agreed to them.
The acting couple announced their separation in 2015, but it took them eight years to formally settle their matters. According to the agreements, Berry must pay Martinez nearly $8,000 (CAD 10,800) in monthly child support and cover the cost of their son's private schooling, extracurricular activities, and healthcare. Both must also avoid commenting negatively about each other in Maceo's presence.
