Halle Berry’s ongoing custody battle with her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, has taken a dramatic turn as Martinez publicly slammed Berry’s recent bid for sole legal custody of their 10-year-old son, Maceo.
In court documents, Martinez labeled Berry’s request as “draconian” and “unreasonable,” escalating the already tense situation between the former couple.
In a recent filing, Martinez, 58, requested that a court hearing scheduled for September 10 be postponed by at least 120 days.
This delay, he argues, is necessary to prepare a robust defense against what he calls Berry’s “twisted narrative” and “false claims” regarding their son’s welfare.
Martinez is seeking more time to cross-examine Berry on these claims, which he believes are being used to justify her extreme demand for sole legal custody.
Martinez’s legal team is pushing back against Berry’s attempts to expedite the legal process, accusing the actress of trying to “bootstrap her way into an immediate hearing” without giving due process a chance.
His attorney has argued that Berry’s actions appear calculated to gain an unfair advantage in the custody dispute, by pushing for decisions to be made before Martinez can adequately respond.
At the center of this custody battle is a disagreement over Maceo’s mental health and educational needs.
Berry, 57, is reportedly seeking the authority to make unilateral decisions regarding their son’s mental health, including the administration of psychiatric medication.
This demand has been met with fierce opposition from Martinez, who believes that such significant decisions should be made jointly, as they have been in the past.
“Seeking new, extraordinary, and draconian relief, to have sole legal custody regarding the parties’ minor child’s mental health and educational decisions, including wanting to solely decide to give the parties’ son psychiatric medication,” stated Martinez’s attorney in the court filing.
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The issue of sole custody has been a point of contention since the couple’s separation in 2015.
While they initially agreed on joint custody, Berry’s recent push for more control over their son’s life has created new friction.
Martinez argues that Berry’s requests go far beyond what is reasonable and that her efforts to control these aspects of their son’s life are not in Maceo’s best interest.
Martinez’s legal team has further accused Berry of engaging in a pattern of behavior that borders on harassment.
According to Martinez, Berry has persistently pressured him and the court system, creating unnecessary conflict and legal complications.
“The court has to be aware of Halle’s actions and the extent of her persistent pressure, which borders on harassment, to cause strife and needless issues among us,” Martinez argued in his filing.
This accusation adds another layer to the already complex and contentious legal battle.
Martinez’s team claims that Berry’s behavior is not just an attempt to gain custody but an effort to dominate the legal process and marginalize Martinez’s role as a father.
This latest dispute is not the first time Berry and Martinez have found themselves at odds in the courtroom.
Since their divorce in 2016, the former couple has faced numerous legal challenges, particularly regarding the custody of their son.
Their relationship, once a Hollywood fairy tale, has deteriorated into a series of public and private battles that have played out in the media and the courts.
The couple’s initial custody agreement was meant to provide a balanced approach to parenting, with both parents having an equal say in decisions affecting their son.
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However, Berry’s recent actions suggest she is no longer satisfied with this arrangement, seeking instead to assume greater control over Maceo’s upbringing.
As the court date approaches, it remains to be seen how the judge will respond to Martinez’s request for a delay and his broader concerns about Berry’s conduct.
If granted, the postponement could give Martinez the time he needs to build his case against Berry’s custody bid.
However, if the court denies his request, the custody battle could intensify, with both sides digging in for a protracted legal fight.
For now, Maceo remains at the center of a bitter dispute between two parents who seem unable to find common ground.
The outcome of this legal battle will not only shape his immediate future but could also set a precedent for how custody disputes are handled in the public eye.
Martinez’s insistence on joint custody reflects a broader belief that both parents should be involved in their child’s life, especially in matters as significant as mental health and education.
Whether the court agrees with this position or sides with Berry’s request for sole custody will be a decision that could have lasting implications for all involved.
