Halle Berry Claims Victory in Custody Battle with Ex-Husband Olivier Martinez
Halle Berry has achieved a win in her protracted custody battle with ex-husband Olivier Martinez.
In recent court filings obtained by Us News, a judge sided with Berry, stating that Martinez, 58, had failed to communicate his unavailability for coparenting therapy sessions.
“The court finds [his] claim that he was unable to attend sessions due to travel and lack of technical skills unconvincing,” the filing states. “These sessions are conducted via Zoom, and [he] demonstrated his ability to use Zoom for a June session as well as to maintain FaceTime contact with their son nearly every day in July. He chose to discontinue therapy independently, thus stalling the process.”
The court also acknowledged Berry’s legal team’s repeated attempts to resume therapy, which allegedly went unanswered by Martinez’s representation.
“By opting out of coparenting therapy during the summer, [he] delayed progress,” the documents indicate, adding that Berry’s legal expenses “could have been avoided if [Martinez] had participated in a timely manner.”
A follow-up hearing is set for December 12.
In August, Us confirmed that Berry, 58, filed for sole custody of their 10-year-old son, Maceo, a year after she and Martinez agreed to share both physical and legal custody. (Berry, who was married to Martinez from 2013 to 2015, also shares a daughter, Nahla, with ex Gabriel Aubry.) As part of their shared custody agreement, Berry was required to pay Martinez $8,000 monthly in child support, along with 4.3% of any income exceeding $2 million. Berry additionally covers Maceo’s educational costs, extracurricular fees, and health insurance.
In July, Berry alleged in court that Martinez was neglecting their agreed coparenting sessions. Martinez, however, refuted these claims and responded with his own petition for sole legal custody.
Last month, Martinez filed a declaration, contending that Berry was unwilling to help cover his legal fees.
“She has refused to contribute to my fees,” he asserted. “In the past, her willingness to negotiate fees has enabled us to resolve all issues. Without her contribution, I am unable to adequately respond to her claims.”
Martinez further explained that his limited acting work outside the United States has complicated coparenting, though he remains optimistic about reducing tension.
“For years, our relationship improved. I hope we can regain that harmony. I support Van Hunt’s relationship with Halle and have communicated this to Maceo,” Martinez stated, referring to Berry’s longtime partner. “However, based on Maceo’s behavior and comments, I believe Halle did not fully prepare him for Van’s deep involvement in their lives, which has caused Maceo considerable distress.”
Martinez expressed his desire for a collaborative approach to parenting Maceo.
“In 2023, when Halle suggested we finalize custody, I requested that we address all remaining issues, including child support,” he added, pledging his commitment to adhere to court mandates.
Berry has yet to publicly address Martinez’s claims.
