Custody Battles

Stephen Belafonte not only wants joint custody of Madison, his 5-year-old daughter with Mel B, he also wants the legal right to maintain a relationship with the daughter Mel B had with Eddie Murphy ... TMZ has learned.

Mel B now wants sole custody of Madison, which sets up a custody fight. But now sources connected with Belafonte tell us he will ask a judge for visitation rights for 10-year-old Angel. Belafonte believes he's been the father in her life from birth ... he married Mel B 2 months after she was born.

Belafonte says Murphy has been a marginal presence in Angel's life, and he's been the stepdad. Under California law, a stepparent can get "reasonable visitation" if it's in the best interests of the child.

In a letter Belafonte's lawyer wrote to Mel B's lawyer on March 31, he staked his claim. The lawyer wrote, "Stephen would like to schedule a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the resolution of temporary issues including his ability to see Madison and Angel, whom we would appreciate continuing to have contact with."

We're told Belafonte's lawyers will raise the issue as the divorce proceeds, but under law he could not ask for stepfather visitation in his divorce response.

Our sources say Mel B will strongly oppose Belafonte's move to get visitation rights for Angel.

Mel B has made a major change to her divorce petition ... she does not want to share joint custody with Stephen Belafonte for 2 reasons ... a domestic violence conviction, and a gun.

TMZ broke the story ... when Mel B filed for divorce last month she said she wanted joint legal and physical custody. Sources connected with Mel tell TMZ at the time she had no idea Stephen had a conviction for domestic violence involving another baby mama. She also didn't know the conviction prohibited him to possess a gun.

As we reported, Mel knew he had a gun and was not happy about it, especially since she alleges he repeatedly committed domestic violence against her. But we're told after recently finding out the gun was illegal to possess, she decided to change her custody strategy.

We're told Mel, who just got a temporary restraining order which prohibits Belafonte from having any contact with her 3 children, will go back to court and make the restraining order permanent.

Our sources also say in the divorce case, she does not want Stephen to have any contact with 2 of her kids, one of whom is 10-year-old Angel, whose dad is Eddie Murphy, and 18-year-old Phoenix -- a child from another marriage.

We're told Mel might ultimately be ok with giving Belafonte monitored visits with their child, 5-year-old Madison, but not now.

Belafonte has asked for joint legal and physical custody of Madison.

Ralphie May's estranged wife, Lahna Turner, is getting temporary sole custody of their 2 children, and the comedian will take random drug tests twice a month ... according to new legal docs.

The judge in their nasty custody war has granted Ralphie 2 weekly visits with his children, and one Skype call. A court appointed monitor must be present for the first 3 weeks.

Ralphie, who's made no secret of his love of marijuana, has agreed to submit to random drug tests twice a month.

According to the new docs ... the judge also threw out the restraining order Turner requested last month. Both Ralphie and Lahna have been told to stop talking smack about each other in front of their kids.

Chance the Rapper isn't just hip-hop's favorite new artist ... he owns up to his responsibility in the child support department too.

Chance struck an agreement with Kirsten Corley over how much he'll ante up in child support for their 17-month-old daughter.

Apparently, the case was open and shut Monday when they both walked into court.

A lawyer for Chance's ex told the Chicago Tribune ... "This case ended quickly because of the unusually high level of cooperation between the parents putting their child's best interest first."

Chance's own lawyer, Tanya Stanish, said they had come to a fair resolution.

Chance said in an interview last week that he's considering moving back in with his parents ... despite winning 3 Grammy awards this year and riding a HUGE wave of success following his free 2016 mixtape, "Coloring Book."

Darius McCrary's wife is divorcing him, and wants the judge to keep him away from their infant daughter until he gets help for booze, drugs and rage.

Tammy Brawner filed in L.A. citing irreconcilable differences, and made it clear she has serious concerns about 1-year-old Zoey's safety. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Tammy says she wants Darius to "attend alcohol/drug abuse and batterers' intervention classes."

She wants his visitation rights cut off until the "Family Matters" star provides proof he's completed a treatment program.

Not shockingly, Tammy wants legal and physical custody of Zoey. She's also asking for spousal support.

Robin Thicke made sure his 40th birthday was literally fun for the whole family -- adults and his 6-year-old son alike.

Robin hosted a luau-themed bash at his Malibu pad Sunday, and Julian was in the thick of it with some cousins and friends there too.

The adult guests included Adrien Brody, Angelica Bridges, Russell Simmons, Orlando Bloom and his son ... and, of course, Robin's gf April Love Geary.

As for the party -- magic show, 2-story water slide, mechanical shark, petting zoo, face painting ... in other words every kid's dream. They had hula dancers too ... fun for kids and adults.

Sources close to Robin tell us he was thinking "family first" when he planned the event.

Paula Patton was not there, but as we reported ... she and Robin are getting close to settling their custody war.

Robin Thicke was back with his son in a big way Friday night, celebrating his 40th birthday over Julian's favorite meal.

Robin, GF April Love Geary and Julian hit up Catch in WeHo, where the 6-year-old chowed down on his favorite fish. Julian left with his grandma before Robin and April made their exit.

TMZ broke the story ... Robin and Paula Patton are on the verge of settling their custody war, and the dinner is certainly evidence they're on the brink of burying the hatchet.

Paula Patton's nanny told a 911 dispatcher her son was a wreck every time a visit with Robin Thicke loomed.

Cops were called as 6-year-old Julian sat in his mother's car at a Malibu park, unwilling to take the visit with his dad who was waiting nearby.

You hear the nanny describe what she says are the child's fears whenever Robin has a scheduled visit. DCFS is investigating claims Robin used excessive physical punishment on Julian.

Robin has said Paula has tried driving a wedge between him and his son and is guilty of emotional abuse.

As we reported, in the last week Robin and Paula have tried to settle rather than fight, and they are on the verge of working out a custody arrangement they both find acceptable.

Robin Thicke and Paula Patton have decided it's better to get along than wage war, and that's why they are on the verge of settling the mega custody war.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, Robin and Paula are far along in working out the details of their custody arrangement.

TMZ broke the story ... Paula got a restraining order against Robin after their 6-year-old son, Julian, complained to school officials his dad was using excessive physical force. Robin was limited to 3 visits a week with a court-appointed monitor present.

Cops have been called and accusations hurled, including Paula's claim Robin was trying to influence the monitor by giving him free sushi ... something Robin denied.

They were scheduled to continue their legal battle Monday, but the case was taken off calendar.

Neither side would comment, but we're told they're now very close to resolving custody.

Danielle Bregoli, the "Cash Me Ousside" girl, wants to send her estranged dad a clear message -- you have ZERO business trying to get into MY business!

Sources connected to Danielle tell us she finds it absurd her pops, Ira Peskowitz, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy ... is trying to weasel his way back into her life after years of being an absentee dad.

Ira started a GoFundMe page saying he needs $50k to cover legal expenses to get his daughter "proper help." He's actually raised $1300 already.

We're told Danielle thinks it's just a money grab ... an attempt to get back in her life because she's now commanding $30k in appearance fees. Not to mention the multiple reality TV offers she's fielding.

Matt Barnes says he's TRYING LIKE HELL to be a good dad -- but his ex-wife is blocking him from spending precious quality time with his 8-year-old twin boys.

His ex-wife, however, says Barnes is completely full of crap.

Lisa Marie Presley's estranged husband is having regular visits with their children -- even though they're in protective custody -- but we've learned it's a deal both parents struck.

Michael Lockwood met his 8-year-old twin girls Wednesday at the beach in Malibu. Sources connected with the case tell TMZ ... it was the second time he'd seen his daughters this week. We're told a court-appointed monitor, seen here in red, was present both times.

As we've reported ... the girls are staying with their grandma, Priscilla Presley, while DCFS investigates the "pictures and disturbing videos" Lisa Marie says she found on Michael's computer.

Our sources say Lisa Marie and Michael both signed off on Priscilla taking temporary custody -- and also on Michael having monitored visits.

Pics have surfaced of Robin Thicke and his son, Julian, at Nobu in Malibu ... the lunch Paula Patton claims was essentially an attempt to bribe the Dept. of Children and Family Services with sushi.

As we reported, Robin's team has scoffed at Paula's claim, and says the monitor -- Mike, who's wearing the hat -- sat at a separate table and only drank water. The monitor is required by the judge to be present the entire time Robin is with his 6-year-old son.

We're told the monitor was sitting at a table with someone from the Dept. of Children and Family Services, who was actually there to monitor the monitor after Paula complained about him. He too, we're told, only drank water.

As for why they went to Nobu ... it's Julian's fav.

Paula Patton just made an explosive claim in her raging custody war with Robin Thicke ... taking the social worker charged with protecting their son to a fancy dinner.

Paula just filed docs -- obtained by TMZ -- alleging Robin and his attorney initiated a bunch of back-channel communication with the Department of Children and Family Services staff ... including a dinner where Robin allegedly wined and dined a case worker. She's even specific, claiming it was an expensive sushi dinner.

According to the docs ... Paula's also accusing Robin of falsely reporting to law enforcement she had kidnapped Julian. She says Robin tampered with the custody order to make it look like she was kidnapping their son.

Paula thinks Robin was trying to embarrass and humiliate her by having cops arrest her in front of Julian.

TMZ broke the story ... DCFS is investigating claims Robin has engaged in excessive physical discipline and he can only see Julian with a court appointed monitor.

Robin's camp tells us Paula's claim is bogus ... yes, he went to Nobu with Julian and the DCFS worker accompanied them because the judge ordered that a monitor be present for all visits. But the rep says the DCFS worker did not eat or even sit at their table. The rep also says Robin only contacted police once last month when Paula had gone MIA for 10 days.

Robin Thicke has just lost his main lawyer in his custody war with Paula Patton, because a lawyer who worked in the firm that once represented Paula now works at the firm that represents Robin.

Robin has been represented by attorney Larry Ginsberg, a partner at Harris, Ginsberg. A law firm that once represented Paula in the custody fight employed a lawyer who jumped ship and moved over to Harris, Ginsberg.

During a court hearing Tuesday, Larry Ginsberg made it clear ... the lawyer in question has no involvement in the Patton/Thicke case, but the judge felt there was always the chance of water cooler talk so Ginsberg is now off the case.

Robin Thicke and Paula Patton got into it again in their custody war, and cops rushed to the scene again.

We've learned the incident went down Thursday at a Malibu park, where Paula was supposed to hand off 6-year-old Julian to the court-appointed monitor so Robin could have his visit. We're told Robin was also present, but here lies the conflict.

Sources connected with Robin tell TMZ the singer was aware Paula has a restraining order but he never came close to her. The sources say Paula was an hour late and when she arrived she refused to give Julian to the monitor. Our Paula sources say the monitor arrived at 3:13 PM and she arrived exactly on time at 3:30 PM.

Sources connected with Paula say Robin violated the restraining order and was feet from Paula when she arrived with her son. They say Julian decided he didn't want to go with his dad and asked her to call 911.

We're told Paula's people called the cops, who came to the scene but by the time they got there Paula and Julian had left. When the deputies arrived, our Robin sources say the officers told him a black SUV resembling Paula's had gotten in an accident. He freaked out and left to find the SUV.