Halle Berry: Ex Seeks Higher Child Support in Custody Dispute
Olivier Martinez is asking a court to change the child support order he shares with Halle Berry, arguing his custody time with their son has increased. The request comes as the former couple continue negotiating custody arrangements, with another hearing set for next month.
Halle Berry’s former husband, Olivier Martinez, has asked a court to increase her child support payments, saying his share of custody of their son has grown during their ongoing dispute.
Martinez filed court documents seeking a modification to the child support order established when the couple finalized their divorce three years ago. The order reflected 50-50 physical custody of their 13-year-old son, Maceo.
Under that arrangement, Berry pays Martinez $US8000 per month, plus 4.3 per cent of income she receives above $US2 million.
Martinez cites reduced custody time
Martinez argues that Berry’s custody “timeshare has decreased to approximately 18 per cent” because of a temporary restraining order. He is seeking increased payments to help cover expenses when Maceo is in his care.
In the filing, Martinez said he does not have information about Berry’s current income but understands she has worked on three films recently. He said he earns less than $US800 a month in residuals and has monthly expenses of nearly $US18,000.
“Because children are entitled to the same standard of living attainable by the parents’ income, the ‘needs’ of a child of extraordinarily wealthy parents will exceed the bare necessities of life,” Martinez argued in court documents.
He also wrote: “It is an abuse of discretion to deprive a child of their right to share in one parent’s unusual wealth.”
Custody dispute continues
The former couple have been contesting custody arrangements in court for weeks. Martinez previously accused Berry of domestic abuse and alleged she choked Maceo during an incident on September 26, claiming it was not isolated.
Berry has repeatedly denied the allegations. The temporary restraining order was dissolved last month.
Berry’s daughter, Nahla Aubry, 18, from a previous relationship with Gabriel Aubry, has defended her mother. Nahla testified in a closed courtroom during the custody hearing, along with Maceo, Berry, her fiancé Van Hunt and Martinez.
Berry has accused Martinez of interfering with their son’s health and educational needs by prolonging the custody dispute. The former couple are still negotiating arrangements for Maceo, with the matter due to be discussed at a court hearing next month.
