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Tag: custody battle

  • Levi Johnston Wins Seven-Year Custody Battle Over Son With Bristol Palin

    After seven years and $100,000 worth of legal expenses, Levi Johnston has finally prevailed in his custody battle with Bristol Palin over their son, Tripp.

    Johnston could not contain his elation and posted the good news on social media on Tuesday. “I’m so happy to have my son in my life, and to put all of this back in forth in the courts behind me,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “It might have taken me 7 years and cost me around $100,000 in lawyer fees, spread out among 3 different lawyers, as well as a lot of patience, but it was all worth it.”

    However, Johnston took down the post after less than 24 hours.

    Meanwhile, Bristol Palin seemed to be pleased with the outcome of the case as she shared a Jane Blaustone quote on her Instagram page that read: “”The best security blanket a child can have is parents who respect each other.”

    ☝?️just thinking out loud this morning

    A photo posted by Bristol Palin (@bsmp2) on

    Back in 2009, Levi Johnston claimed that his ex-fiancée Bristol and her family refused to grant him access to their son, Tripp. Four years later, he filed a petition for equal custody of their son, a move that the Palins challenged through unpaid child support allegations amounting to more than $60,000.

    The 25-year-old former oil worker and Playgirl model was engaged to Palin twice before breaking up for good in 2010. A published author, Levi Johnston has been married for three years to this wife, Sunny Oglesby, with whom he has two young daughters named Breeze Beretta and Indy Rae.

    My babies

    A photo posted by Levi Johnston (@levikjohnston) on

    Bristol Palin believes that she did not “lose” the custody case as she says “every child deserves two loving parents”. She posted a photo of herself with Tripp and two-month-old daughter Sailor Grace, whose father is her ex-fiancé Dakota Meyer, with whom she is currently engaged in a custody battle as well.

  • ‘Gossip Girl’ Kelly Rutherford Finally Granted Custody Of Her Children After Six Years

    After years of court hearings and an online petition, Kelly Rutherford will finally be able to see her children.

    The 46-year-old actress was granted “sole and legal” custody of her children by a California judge on May 22.

    This means that her children, 8-year-old son Hermes and 5-year-old daughter Helena, should be brought home from Monaco where they have been living with their father, Rutherford’s ex-husband Daniel Giersch, since 2012.

    The Gossip Girl star’s nightmare started when Giersch’s work visa was revoked and he was barred from entering the US after a family holiday abroad. No exact reason was given and in some weird legal twist, a California judge ruled that the children should reside in France with their father because it was in their “best interest.”

    However, when Rutherford went to France recently to be with her children Giersch refused to let her see them until she handed over their passports.

    The embattled actress has spent the better part of the last 6 years trying to get her children home, a battle that has already cost her almost $2.5 million and forced her to declare bankruptcy. But with the court’s latest decision, the Melrose Place alum can finally put that behind her and look forward.

    In a statement, Rutherford’s lawyer David Glass said that they are “pleased that the Los Angeles Superior Court acted swiftly.”

    “We remain hopeful that Mr. Giersch, after reviewing the Orders, will cooperate fully and assist us in peacefully transferring the children to Kelly’s custody.”

    Rutherford’s friends, who have helped her secure 100,000 signatures in an online petition, are also ecstatic over the good news and have expressed their support and love on Twitter.

    The TV veteran is scheduled to attend a hearing on June 15. Her children and Giersch are also slated to attend the session.

  • Kate Plus 8: Jon Gosselin Reportedly Calls Police On Ex-Wife, Takes Emergency Custody Of Daughter Hannah

    Those poor Gosselin children. Aside from the stress of growing up in the glare of TV cameras and their parents bitter divorced broadcasted for all to see, the Gosselin kids might now be separated from each other.

    According to reports, Jon Gosselin is seeking full custody of their 11-year-old daughter Hannah after she left her mother’s home to live with him.

    An insider says that the drama started because Hannah didn’t want to film for the TLC reality series anymore. But her mom Kate, who’s notorious for wanting to remain on-camera, is forcing her and the other kids to do so.

    The source added that the young girl “can’t take the cruelty anymore” and was “so afraid of her mom” that Jon became so concerned that he called Pennsylvania Children & Youth Services and decided to take emergency custody of his daughter.

    As expected, the move didn’t sit well with Kate who caused a scene when she stood in front of Jon’s house screaming for her daughter to come home.

    When that didn’t work, the 40-year-old Kate Plus 8 matriarch allegedly called the cops three days later and accused her ex-husband of threatening her and leaving Hannah alone while he worked at his DJ gig.

    Hannah eventually came home but Jon is reportedly dead set on filing a petition to modify their custody agreement.

    This isn’t the first time Jon has raised concerns about the welfare of his children. In 2010, Jon filed legal documents accusing Kate of physically abusing their kids, forcing them to eat moldy food and locking them in their bedrooms at night so they would stop “using the restroom.”

    She wasn’t formally charged but was given a warning by a judge.

    Kate was also investigated by Children & Youth Services last year over charges that she was abusive to their son Colin.

  • Rosie O’Donnell’s Ex Michelle Rounds Is A No-Show For Child Custody Battle

    Rosie O’Donnell’s divorce from Michelle Rounds is turning into an acrimonious soap opera.

    The comic arrived at a New York City courthouse ready to fight for custody of her two-year-old adopted daughter Dakota.

    However, O’Donnell’s estranged wife was noticeably absent.

    Rounds’ lawyer William London said that his client decided to stay home to care of her sick toddler.

    “The nanny delivered the child (to Rounds) Monday afternoon and she had a fever of 104.3,” London said.

    But the custody hearing still continued despite Rounds’ no-show and a brief meltdown by O’Donnell.

    The former View co-host allegedly became furious when she noticed that there were reporters present in the hearing.

    “Press? There’s press here?” the 53-year-old asked before adding “could you ask them to leave?”

    The reporters present reminded the comedienne that the courtrooms were open to the public but O’Donnell was having none of it.

    The embattled TV host was subsequently escorted to a locked room across the hall before the proceedings could commence.

    O’Donnell’s lawyer Elyse Goldweber, and at one point even Judge Lori Sattler, had to shuttle from the judge’s chambers to O’Donnell’s room.

    O’Donnell was later seen leaving the courthouse with security via a back entrance.

    Neither lawyers from both sides spoke publicly about the initial session, aside from London simply saying that “the custody case is proceeding.”

    O’Donnell and Rounds were married for three years and adopted Dakota during that time. They officially split last February.

    The divorce took a vitriolic turn when Rounds decided to file for complete custody of her daughter over claims that O’Donnell is an unfit parent.

    A recent TMZ report stated that Rounds’ divorce documents allegedly accused O’Donnell of drinking a bottle of red wine every night and smoking weed.

    A representative for O’Donnell decried the allegations and said that “this is an absurd and desperate attempt to use a child for her own gain.”

  • Debbie Rowe Engaged and Fighting for Custody of her Children

    Last month, TMZ reported that Debbie Rowe, the former wife of Michael Jackson, was engaged to Marc Schaffel, a long-time friend of Rowe and a once friend and producer of Jackson. Originally, she dismissed the gossip site’s news of her engagement; she claimed it was false.

    Rowe later revealed that she, originally, turned down Schaffel’s proposal because of a health scare. She feared cancer was killing her, but it turned out she had sarcoidosis, an auto-immune disease. Once Rowe knew the diagnosis wasn’t deadly, she changed her mind about the proposal.

    Rowe told TMZ live that “he’s helped me with a lot of things. And friendship sometimes turns into a relationship.” She also expressed that her kids really like Schaffel. Rowe and Schaffel have not set a wedding date yet.

    Post by Debbie Rowe.
    Besides becoming engaged, Rowe has begun the process to get full custody of her two kids with Jackson, Paris and Prince. She would like to take over guardianship of Blanket as well, who is not biologically her child. A source told TMZ that “Rowe is deeply concerned about the environment in the Jackson home.  She likes Katherine Jackson but believes she has gotten way too old to serve as guardian ... Katherine's not connected with the kids or involved in their lives” She also has some problems with the Jackson brothers influence in her children’s lives. According to the TMZ source, Rowe finds Jermaine Jackson “creepy and extremely inappropriate.” She wants him far away from her children. The brothers have already fired back at Rowe claiming "[The children] are well loved and well taken care of. We are quite taken back [sic] that Ms. Rowe has decided now to enter their lives, after she abandoned her children many years ago for money." Rowe plans to file a document making her the guardian of Paris and Prince. Then she wants to move them to her ranch in Palmdale CA, where she runs a horse breeding and raising business. Image via Debbie Rowe, Facebook

  • Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards To Battle Over Housing and Child Support Payments

    Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards are definitely not seeing eye-to-eye these days. As a matter of fact, it appears their estranged relationship will probably get much worse before it gets any better.

    According to Yahoo! News, the former Two and a Half Men star wants his ex-wife, their two children, and her 2-year-old daughter to find somewhere else to live. The publication reports that the Twisted actress is currently residing at a home that Sheen owns.

    “He has claimed to have a buyer for the home lined up. Charlie wants Denise and the girls out – right away. Put simply, he doesn’t seem to care where Denise moves to.”

    NZ City reports that Sheen’s fiancé porn star Brett Rossi has been a contributing factor to Sheen’s decision to oust his ex-wife from the house.

    A source close to Sheen claims that Rossi has persuaded him to push Richards and his children to vacate the home. Rossi reportedly feels Richards doesn’t deserve to live in the home since she has allegedly stopped Sheen from seeing the children over the past several months.

    “Brett convinced Charlie to sell the mansion, arguing that Denise has cut off access to their daughters, why should he allow her to live in the house for free?,” the source explained. “Charlie hasn’t spent any significant time with the girls in several months and thinks it’s ridiculous that he continue to pay Denise $55,000.”

    a day of miracles on a field of dreams. c hashtag a real modern family

    TMZ reported back in January that Sheen only paid a little more than half of the $55,000 monthly child support payment. However, he hasn’t made any more payments this year.

    It has also been reported that Sheen wants his child support payment reduced for their two daughters, Sam, 10, and Lola, 8. A source close to the Anger Management actor spoke exclusively with Radar Online with details about Sheen’s decision. The source claims that the actor’s lawyers have “formally notified Denise and her lawyers that they will be headed to private mediation next week to try and get the child support reduced.”

    However, things may not go according to Sheen’s plan. His actions could actually put him in a predicament far worse than the on he’s already in with Richards. “Charlie could be taking a huge gamble by taking Denise to the mediator. There is a chance that the judge could actually increase the child support to Denise because of his lucrative ‘Anger Management’ deal with FX. This could be a can of worms Charlie might wish he never opened,” said the source.

    If should be interesting to see how the battle ends between Sheen and Richards.

    Image via Charlie Sheen, Facebook
    Image via Charlie Sheen, Twitter (TwitPic)

  • Paul Walker’s Mother Files For Guardianship of His Daughter, Child’s Mother ‘Disgusted’ By Her Actions

    Paul Walker‘s mother Cheryl Ann Walker wants to be the guardian of her 15-year-old granddaughter, Meadow.

    According to E! News, on Wednesday, Mar. 18, Walker’s mother filed a formal petition for guardianship with the Los Angeles Superior Court.

    The publication reports that Cheryl’s role as guardian would entail “deciding where the child would live and making personal decisions (medical, educational, etc.) for her.” The late actor’s daughter is the sole beneficiary of his $16 million estate.

    If granted guardianship, the child’s biological mother, Rebecca Jo Soteros, would be relinquished of her rights to act on the child’s behalf in any capacity.

    The petition documents revealed that the Fast and Furious actor also left guardianship specifications for his mother in his will. The documents go on to cite that Soteros has a drinking problem and that she and Meadow have both been living with her since August of 2012, long before Walker’s fatal accident on Nov. 30 of last year.

    However, a number of sources say otherwise. Insiders close to Soteros claim that she is, indeed, capable of taking care of Meadow and that Walker‘s mother has blown the entire situation out of proportion. One insider also weighed in exclusively with E! about Soteros’ reaction to the petition for guardianship.

    “Everyone was taken by surprise,” the insider said. This has been hard on everyone close to them. [Meadow and her mom] didn’t know,” the insider continued. “There have been discussions but no one told them they were going ahead with it. They first heard about it when they saw it on TMZ. They are very disgusted by this. It’s completely thoughtless and disrespectful.”

    “It’s just crazy how people blow things out of proportion. She doesn’t have a problem or a serious drinking problem. From what I know, she has never once been incapable of not taking care of her children…Rebecca is a great mother and Meadow is a very happy child. Their relationship is excellent,” the insider said.

    “They are good friends and very close just like any mother and daughter. Rebecca was basically the only parent raising Meadow for the first 12 years of her life. Rebecca is a former school teacher and good with children.”

    “Knowing Rebecca, I know she would never let anyone else care for her daughter. She loves her,” the source says. “She has always been and will always be a good mother and there is no reason for a change. She will fight this, I’m sure, until her last breath to be [Meadow’s] mom. All she wants is to have her child.”

    If what the inside sources have to say about Soteros proves true, this will be an uphill battle. The publication also reports that Walker’s mother only has two alternatives available to obtain guardianship.

    Soteros would have to willfully consent to her request, or her rights would have to be terminated by the court. Although Soteros was charged with a DUI back in 2003, that particular incident alone would not suffice. Consistency of her alleged incompetence would have to be proven.

    Hopefully, the situation can be resolved amicably. The child shouldn’t have to suffer more than she already has with the loss of her father.

    Image via Paul Walker, Facebook

  • Tyrese Gibson Battling Ex-Wife Over Visitation Rights For His Daughter

    Singer-actor Tyrese Gibson isn’t too happy these days! According to TMZ, his contempt has everything to do with the visitation bout he’s currently embroiled in with his ex-wife, Norma Gibson. The publication reports that she has refused to let him see his 6-year-old daughter, Shayla. Now, it appears their situation is about to get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.

    The Fast and Furious actor, has reportedly taken legal action in an effort to resolve the issue. The Grammy-nominated singer’s representative spoke exclusively with US Weekly to formally address the situation.

    “Norma Gibson, Tyrese’s ex-wife, denied him a court custodial order with their  daughter Shayla on Feb. 11, 2014,” the rep said in the exclusive statement. “Tyrese arrived to pick up Shayla and was denied access by  her mother. Mr. Gibson called the police to the scene, and Mrs. Gibson called TMZ.”

    The representative also revealed that the two have been facing opposition for quite some time, as this particular incident isn’t the first of its kind. “Sadly, this is not the first time this has happened,” the rep said. “This has  been an ongoing saga.”

    The publication was also given details about the legal actions Gibson has taken, thus far, to level with his ex-wife. “Tyrese filed a 730 [custody] evaluation with the courts in 2013, and the family  will face a court-sanctioned evaluation this month,” the rep explained.  “Hopefully this will end this ridiculous feud and Shayla can return to a comfortable environment.”

    Tyrese and Norma Gibson were together about five years before tying the knot in 2007. Shayla is the only child he has with his ex-wife. The couple has been divorced since 2009.

    Unfortunately, legalities tend to be more strenuous on the child as opposed to the parents. Hopefully the two can come to some type of amicable agreement for the sake of the child.

    Image via Tyrese Gibson, Facebook

  • Ariel Winter Takes to Instagram to Show Family Love

    Ariel Winter, who plays the brainy middle child in the hit ABC comedy series Modern Family, took to Instagram to let her family know how much she loves and appreciates them. The 15-year-old actress has been living with her older sister, Shanelle Gray, her two nieces and her brother-in-law for the past year and a half.

    Winter wrote the following heartfelt message to her family:

    “It’s been about a year and a half and at the same time, been the best year and a half of my life. I love them more than I could ever describe and they’ve shown me more love than I ever thought was possible. They’ve each given me something incredible to carry with me for the rest of my life. They’ve taught me how to love unconditionally, how to give, how to forgive, how to find strength, how to comfort others, how to love myself, and how to be a young woman.”

    “My sister is my best friend and one day I can only pray to have a family like the one she has created,” she admitted. “I hope to be even half of the incredible person she is. She’s done so many amazing things with her life and I will always look up to my big sister. I can’t thank them enough and hopefully one day I can do something to show them how grateful I am.”

    Winter also put together a collage of photos:

    Winter’s sister became her guardian after the actress was removed from her mother’s home over allegations of emotional abuse. Chrystal Workman, Winter’s mother, has tried to regain custody of her daughter to no avail. Ariel’s real family life is certainly nothing compared to her ideal television family, the Dunphy’s. It’s been a long and hard road over where the actress belongs and who should watch over her, but at least for the moment, she seems perfectly happy with her current living situation.

    Image via Twitter

  • Usher’s Ex-Wife Seeks Custody Of Their Two Children

    Tameka Foster, ex-wife of pop star Usher, is seeking full custody of the couple’s two children, citing one of the children’s near death as proof of their father’s incompetence as a parent.

    Raymond V, the couple’s five-year-old son, nearly drowned in a swimming pool accident and has been in an Atlanta intensive care unit since. Foster said in court that the boy “is doing much better”.

    Foster’s bid for the children comes only months after Usher was granted primary custody. In that court battle Foster claimed that Usher was an absentee father, citing his celebrity lifestyle as the main reason.

    Foster’s new case includes her claims that the singer “continues to excessively travel, utilizes third-party caregivers to supervise the minor children rather than personally exercising parenting time and providing supervision for the minor children.” Foster also claims that he is away from Atlanta “in excess of 85% of each month.”

    Foster also added that her former husband is “not capable of providing daily caregiving and supervision for the minor children of the parties as petitioner is preparing to film a movie in Panama and has ongoing commitments that require his presence in Los Angeles, New York and various other cities for the Voice and his upcoming album.”

    Foster’s concern for her children’s welfare is understandable in the wake of the death of her son (Usher’s stepson) in a watercraft accident last year. If her allegations are found to be true then the pop star could be forced to relinquish custody.

  • Odom Falls Asleep During Child Custody Hearing

    The New York Post is reporting that Los Angeles Clippers star Lamar Odom during a custody battle over his 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son. The children’s mother, Liza Morales, was never married to Odom.

    The report states that while Odom’s and Morales’ lawyers spoke in another room, Odom managed to catch a 20-minute nap on a courthouse bench before being rudely awoken by a court officer. Odom claimed that he was both jet-lagged and flu-stricken.

    Despite playing in the NBA since 1999, being named to the NBA All-Rookie Team, and playing for the U.S. national basketball team in the 2004 Olympics, Odom is, perhaps, most known recently for marrying reality TV star Khloé Kardashian. The couple’s wedding was featured on the reality TV show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and they were later featured in a spinoff reality TV show titled Khloé & Lamar. Part of the child custody battle is over whether the children can appear on Odom’s reality TV shows, or whether they will be a part of Morales’ reality TV show, Starter Wives.

  • Halle Berry Ordered to Pay $20K a Month in Child Support

    Halle Berry has been ordered to pay her ex, French-Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, $20,000 a month in child support. According to the report from TMZ, the family law judge came down hard on the actress, who now has to pay Gabriel Aubry nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year.

    Berry and Aubry’s child Nahla, who is now 4, was never issued child support after the couple split, but on Monday all that changed.

    Both are still in a custody battle over baby Nahla (really? Nahla. As in The Lion King?) after their split in 2010. Halle is attempting to gain full custody and move to Paris with actor Oliver Martinez, to whom Berry is currently engaged.

    Berry told People Magazine last year that “Our issues were never about fighting for her. We both know a child needs both her parents. But what I want to say about it is sometimes, as a couple, you reach an impasse. We needed a court and a judge to help us work out some of the delicate issues … because for her sake, this is the best way. We both love her more than life.” Still their custody battle continues to rage on.

    According to Fox News, Aubrey came under fire earlier this year by the Department for Child and Protective services when a nanny claimed that he was abusive to her. He agreed to take anger management classes after the investigation concluded.

    A pregnant Halle Berry talked to Oprah five years ago about her undying love for Gabriel…