Halle Berry hasn't been able to see her son Maceo much in the last month and a half, and her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, wants more dough because it's costing him more to care for the boy the lion's share of the time.
Remember, before the incident between Halle and her 13-year-old son that went down September 26th, she and Olivier had 50/50 joint custody. Olivier beelined it for court to get a TRO, claiming Halle put Maceo in a headlock. The judge issued the TRO and said for the time being, Halle would only get occasional visits with her son, which amount to 18%, not 50%.
Now Olivier is saying as long as that order remains in place, it's costing him more every month because he has Maceo 82% of the time. So he's asking the judge to up the ante on child support.
Halle Berry's ex Olivier Martinez is asking the court to order her to pay his attorneys $240,000 for his legal fees after their bitter custody battle ... TMZ has learned.
In legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Olivier claims his legal fees exploded, and he doesn't have the means to pay them, saying he only receives $776.34 per month on average in residuals as income.
In addition to $176,522.58 in unpaid legal fees he says he owes, he's also asking for an additional $63,477.42 to cover future fees for any legal matters related to their custody battle.
The judge overseeing Halle Berry and ex Olivier Martinez's bitter custody case has reached a decision ... and we're told Halle got her way in that the domestic violence restraining order was dissolved, but she lost on the issue of custody.
Olivier's lawyer, Patrick Baghdaserians, tells TMZ... Olivier has primary physical custody of their 13-year-old son, Maceo. Halle and Oliver had joint custody in the past, and Baghdaserians tells TMZ Halle's lawyers had asked to restore 50/50 custody, but the judge rejected that. We're told, however, that the judge will re-consider custody issues in November, so next week it's back on the table.
We're told the judge also ruled Halle could no longer have overnight visits with Maceo. We're told Martinez asked to restrict Halle's custody during holidays, and that was denied.
According to Page Six, Olivier's lawyer, Patrick Baghdaserians, wants to reopen evidence in the wake of the Instagram story posted to Berry's account, which seemingly takes a swipe at the French actor.
Olivier's lawyer says Berry violated a temporary restraining order and wants to question her about the post.
Halle Berry'ssocial media was seemingly hacked amid her nasty custody fight with Olivier Martinez, TMZ has learned.
The Oscar-winning actress' account posted a cryptic quote to her Instagram Story Monday night ... and given the ongoing drama involving the former couple's 13-year-old son, Maceo, the timing is raised eyebrows.
The message reads ... "If kids disrespect their mom, the root cause often traces back to their relationship with the father."
Olivier Martinez is pleased with the court proceedings, at least so far, in his domestic violence dispute with Halle Berry, so his lawyer says there's no reason he'd angrily race out of court.
Olivier's attorney Patrick Baghdaserians tells TMZ ... the report he and his client stormed out of the courtroom during Tuesday's testimony is false, and they'd simply requested a bathroom break. He says the judge granted them 3 minutes to step out, and they wasted no time.
Baghdaserians also shot down claims they might have been unhappy with the testimony that day, telling us Olivier is happy with how the case is currently unfolding.
Looks like Olivier Martinez is lighting up to take the edge off amid his custody battle with Halle Berry ... because cameras caught him smoking outside court.
TMZ obtained a photo of Halle's ex smoking Monday in the midst of their contentious custody battle over their 13-year-old son Maceo.
Olivier's rocking shades as he smokes, and is sporting a very different expression than his actress ex-wife was as she left the courthouse that day.
Halle Berry seems happy heading into court ... though she had nothing to say to the people eagerly awaiting her arrival.
The actress was spotted in L.A. on Tuesday walking into a courthouse in downtown ... flashing a smile for the cameras and giving a small wave to well-wishers.
Halle even chatted with an older couple for a moment before crossing the street ... a good-natured conversation from the look of it -- though we couldn't hear what was said.
6:17 PM PT -- Halle Berry and Van Hunt were spotted leaving court hand in hand after a long day of proceedings ... with Halle all smiles as the couple made their exit.
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez refused to hold court with reporters on their way into court amid their nasty custody battle ... letting their 13-year-old son do all the talking ... under seal.
Halle was seen walking down the courthouse steps in a dark pantsuit and sunglasses, surrounded by cameras as she made her entry bright and early Monday ... but she was in no mood to answer questions.
TMZ also caught Olivier heading back into court after a lunch break in downtown Los Angeles ... but he wasn't in the mood to talk, keeping his mouth shut as he ducked back inside.
Halle Berry's son, Maceo, will be allowed to take the stand in her bitter custody battle with Olivier Martinez, TMZ has learned.
According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... the 13-year-old has been permitted to testify, but his testimony will be "limited to the request for the issuance of a restraining order."
Olivier's requesting a domestic violence restraining order, claiming Halle attacked their son during an argument while he was playing a virual reality video game.
Halle Berry doesn't want her son taking the witness stand in her nasty custody battle with Olivier Martinez... because she believes her ex-husband has been coaching the boy on what to say.
In new court docs, obtained by TMZ, Halle argues Olivier has been discussing the case and potential testimony with their 13-year-old son Maceo... raising serious concerns about whether anything he tells the judge would be his own account.
Halle claims Olivier has spent weeks talking to Maceo about the allegations ... despite a 2024 court order prohibiting both parents from involving their son in their legal disputes.
Halle Berry says a photo of her taken by her son doesn't prove she did anything wrong ... and she's calling out her ex-husband Olivier Martinezfor trying to use it against her.
In new court docs, obtained by TMZ, Halle fires back at Olivier's claim that their 13-year-old son Maceosnapped the picture to prove "something happened" during last month's alleged physical altercation.
Halle says the photo shows her standing calmly, hands in her pockets, several feet away from Maceo ... and she says there's no picture showing any bruises, redness or injuries to Maceo to back up Olivier's claim about Maceo telling him she strangled their son.
Olivier Martinez says his son with Halle Berrywas afraid nobody would believe his abuse allegations against his mother ... so he snapped a photo to back up his story, and now he wants to testify in court.
In new court docs, obtained by TMZ, Olivier claims their 13-year-old son Maceotook a picture of Halle following an alleged physical altercation at her home on September 26, which set off a custody war.
Olivier says Maceo had previously made allegations about his mother getting physical with him but felt nobody took his complaints seriously ... so this time, he says his son wanted photographic evidence.
Halle Berry has completed a mandatory parenting program as she battles ex-husband Olivier Martinezover custody of their son ... TMZ has learned.
According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Berry signed a certificate Tuesday verifying she completed the Los Angeles Superior Court's "Our Children First" online mediation orientation and parent education program.
Per the court's website, parents are required to complete the court's online child custody mediation orientation and parent education program, officially known as "Our Children First," before moving forward with custody or visitation disputes.
The actor was photographed outside his Los Angeles home Monday just days after making explosive allegations against Halle ... claiming she grabbed their 12-year-old son, Maceo, around the neck and choked him during an argument at her home.
As TMZ previously reported, Olivier obtained a temporary restraining order against Halle and is seeking sole custody of their son.
Halle Berry isn't letting her nasty custody battle with ex Olivier Martinez keep her from spending time with their son ... stepping out with Maceo just days after Olivier accused her of abusing the 12-year-old.
Halle was spotted Sunday at a Best Buy in Los Angeles with Maceo and her longtime boyfriend Van Hunt ... and from the looks of things, it was a pretty normal family outing.
The three walked through the parking lot together ... with Halle sticking close to Maceo.
