Custody Battles

Mel B is a drug addict and alcoholic who has walked into doors and has been hospitalized for ODs, and she has covered up the bruises and other injuries from her addiction by claiming it was domestic violence ... so says her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte.

Belafonte just filed legal docs in an effort to get visitation rights in connection with his stepdaughter, Angel, whose biological father is Eddie Murphy. Belafonte, who has been with Angel almost since her birth, claims Mel B is concocting lies about domestic violence to turn Angel against him.

He refers to a 2014 incident in London where Mel B claims he bashed her head into a door. Belafonte says, in fact, what happened was that Mel B ODd on drugs, was hospitalized and sustained bruises from the EKG machine and IV during her stay in the hospital, and falsely claimed it was the result of abuse.

He says she is so addicted to drugs and alcohol she walks into walls because she's drunk in the middle of the day. He says she is so wasted sometimes she will pull down her pants and try to urinate on the couch in front of the kids.

He also notes in his legal docs, obtained by TMZ, her claims that he forced her to have 3-ways is a lie. He says he has videos where Mel B initiates and records the trysts and looks into the camera and says, "That's hot!" and "I like it."

Mel claimed in docs Stephen showed the kids ISIS beheadings. He says this is a blatant lie and he hasn't even searched for such videos.

Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga cannot use their son's child therapist to make their custody case ... at least that's what the lawyer for the 8-year-old is demanding ... TMZ has learned.

The lawyer the judge appointed to represent David Jr. has filed legal docs asking the judge to prohibit Jennifer or David from calling the therapist to the stand to testify about the boy's state of mind and how the custody war has affected him.

We're told the reason the lawyer wants the protective order is so David Jr. can feel comfortable opening up with his therapist about both parents, without fear they will learn what he said.

Both sides, we're told, have been put on notice that David Jr.'s lawyer is asking the judge for the order.

No decision has been made, but it's a good bet the judge will sign on.

David Otunga says Jennifer Hudson is simply a liar when she grouses to the judge in their custody war that he needs to get a job, because he says she knows he already has one.

Otunga just fired back in legal docs, responding to Hudson's claim he essentially sits on the sofa and needs gainful employment so she doesn't have to pay support.

He says her claim is ironic because 5 years ago, she gave him an ultimatum ... telling him he had to either choose wrestling or his family. Translation ... she was the person who stopped him from wrestling full-time.

Otunga says he IS employed ... with the WWE, in addition to working on other entertainment projects.

He also says it's nervy for Hudson to grouse about money when she makes between $8 million and $13 million per season just for "The Voice."

Jesse Williams is firing back at his estranged wife, saying she's poisoning their children toward him ... and he insists she's all wet when she claims he has a girlfriend.

Aryn Drake-Lee has claimed Jesse is romantically involved with a woman the kids call Mama C. She claims it's in violation of their custody arrangement which requires them not to introduce a significant other until the relationship has lasted 6 months. He says she's a longtime mutual friend of theirs and that's it.

Jesse just filed legal docs saying Aryn has been interrogating their 2 children, trying to find fault with things he does.

She claimed in earlier docs his inconsistent schedule was disrupting their lives, hurting their development, but he calls BS, saying the kids eat their meals and get plenty of sleep while they're with him.

Jesse says it's rich for Aryn to complain about his work schedule, saying, "This is how I always supported our family and Aryn has no problem enjoying the financial benefits, including the $50,695 per month I pay her in temporary spousal support."

Jesse Williams didn't violate a custody order by letting his kids hang out with a woman his kids call "Mama C" ... because she's not his girlfriend, according to sources close to Jesse.

We broke the story ... Williams' ex, Aryn Drake-Lee, claims he violated their custody agreement by introducing their 2 kids to his new gf ... Ciarra Pardo ... well, at least Aryn thinks she's a gf.

According to our sources ... Jesse and Ciarra, a visual artist, have known each other for a very long time, but are not a couple and don't ever hook up. In fact, we're told Ciarra's been a pal since the kids were born, and Aryn knows her.

The two were recently on a trip together, joined by other friends, to Brazil.

Jesse Williams' estranged wife has several new beefs with him -- the biggest being introducing the kids to his new girlfriend, and showing a complete lack of cupcake etiquette ... according to new legal docs.

First, the gf issues. Aryn Drake-Lee says the "Grey's Anatomy" star has been taking their 2 kids to his new chick's house since October -- and the kids even call her "Mama C." She also claims he took them on a mini-vacay to Big Bear Mtn. with the unnamed gf.

Aryn says this is a clear violation of the custody agreement which requires both of them to wait 6 months into a new relationship before introducing the children.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Jesse also broke a golden rule at their daughter's school last month. Aryn says Jesse brought cupcakes to celebrate 4-year-old Sadie's birthday -- a big no-no because the school picks one day each month to celebrate all students' bdays together.

She claims Jesse also screwed her with Sadie. In the docs, Aryn says Sadie tearfully said "she was mad at me for not attending her birthday party" at school.

She says there are other issues ... mostly caused by Jesse's erratic schedule, and lack of notice before he picks up the kids. Aryn's asking the judge to set a more rigid and consistent schedule for his visits.

A source close to the former couple claims Aryn is making up lies because she's obsessed with being seen as a victim, and she can't do that if people see Jesse as the fun, caring, good person he is.

Ewan McGregor has filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years.

Ewan cites irreconcilable differences as the reason he wants to end his marriage to Eve Mavrakis.

McGregor, repped by attorney Fahi Takesh Hallin, wants joint custody of the couple's 3 minor children. Eve, whose lawyer -- disso queen Laura Wasser -- filed her answer at the same time, is asking for sole physical custody with visitation going to Ewan.

McGregor says in the docs he's willing to pay spousal support. As for property ... our sources say there is no prenup so the assets should be evenly divided.

The date of separation is listed as May 28th of last year.

News of Ewan and Eve's split hit in October ... with reports saying the two had separated as early as May. The announcement came shortly after pics surfaced of Ewan kissing his "Fargo" co-star, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, at a London cafe.

Tennis superstar Victoria Azarenka is one step closer to resuming her pro career -- after getting a huge win in her custody case that should clear the path for her to travel with her baby again.

As we previously reported, Azarenka -- who's a citizen of Belarus -- went to war with her baby daddy Billy McKeague in 2017 after he filed paternity papers in L.A., where Azarenka trains.

The filing resulted in the judge forbidding either parent to take the child out of California until an agreement was reached.

The problem ... Azarenka (the former #1 ranked player) competes all over the world -- but she refused to leave her 1-year-old child behind. As a result, she pulled out of the US Open, the Australian Open and the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Azarenka argued the case belongs in Belarus -- where she was previously awarded primary custody by a Belarusian court.

Now, TMZ Sports has learned the California judge has ruled in Azarenka's favor -- agreeing the case doesn't belong in CA or anywhere in the U.S.

But she's not out of the woods yet ... McKeague has 3 weeks to appeal the ruling. We're told Azarenka's camp is confident they will win that battle as well, based on the judge's strongly-worded 65-page opinion.

David Otunga will not be charged for an alleged domestic violence incident with Jennifer Hudson ... TMZ has learned.

Police had been investigating Otunga for domestic battery after a November incident where Jennifer claimed David got angry at her, grabbed their son by the hand and shoved her out of their bedroom. She filed a report with cops in Burr Ridge, IL.

We're told police have now completed their investigation and will not charge David. Case closed.

You'll recall, Jennifer had gotten a temporary restraining order after the alleged incident, which sparked their custody battle over David Jr.

"Deadpool" star Morena Baccarin became single at a price.

We got the property settlement agreement between Baccarin and ex-hubby Austin Chick, and there were a lot of spoils to divide. For starters, Austin gets their home in New York City, while Morena gets their homes in Brazil and Los Angeles.

The documents say Morena makes more than $90k a month, and Austin pulls in $1,375 a month.

And ... she gets the 2001 Lexus!!!

Morena, who also starred in "Homeland," gets lots of residuals, and they're fair game for Austin. They agreed that some of the residuals, including the ones for "Deadpool" and Season 1 of "Gotham," will be split.

When all the dust settles, to make things square Morena agreed to cut a check to Austin for $406k.

As for custody -- which was the major bone of contention -- TMZ broke the story 4-year-old Julius can live with Morena in NYC. Austin was trying to block the move, but in the end he's agreed to move to the Big Apple. She's paying $3,500 a month in child support and he gets $5k in spousal support for a year.

The agreement provides that neither will trash the other in front of their kid.

Nas and Kelis have found common ground in their custody dispute over their 8-year-old son.

According to court docs, the exes hammered out specific dates where Nas will have custody of Knight for weekends. Dad gets four full weekends over January, February and March. Nas' weekend visits will begin immediately after school on Fridays ... thru Sunday night, or Monday night, if it's a 3-day weekend.

As we reported, Nas was complaining that Kelis was making it difficult for him to spend extended time with their son.

The new agreement also requires both parents to use their "best efforts to not popularize [Knight] in social media."

Morena Baccarin won a big victory in her custody war ... she's settled up with her ex-husband after a nasty fight, and he's agreed to move to New York rather than fight to keep their child in L.A.

Director Austin Chick filed for divorce in 2015, this after Morena began dating actor Ben McKenzie. She became pregnant around the same time divorce docs were filed.

The couple divorced, but were not able to resolve their custody and property issues. Austin wanted to stay in L.A. with their 4-year-old son but she wanted to live in New York for professional reasons. She had been filming "Gotham" which was shot in NYC.

According to the new settlement, Morena can stay in New York with their son and Austin will move there. They will share custody.

We've learned Morena agreed to pay 1 more year of support to Austin at a rate of $5,000 a month. She'll also pay him $3,500 a month in child support.

Jesse Williams is asking a judge to modify his custody agreement with his estranged wife after he claims she stiffed him on time with the kids over Christmas.

Jesse says Aryn Drake-Lee continues to make it difficult for him to maintain a stable relationship with his 4-year-old Sadie and 2-year-old Maceo. In docs, obtained by TMZ, Jesse claims Aryn has not followed the overnight agreement deal they struck back in November.

Jesse says Aryn was stingy about giving him time with the kids on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and she kept them for New Year's Day, too.

Not only has Aryn been tough on granting Jesse physical time with the kids -- he says she only answers one out of about every three FaceTime calls he makes to them, too -- and when he is able to talk to them, it's only for a few minutes.

Nick Cassavetes and his daughter are back together in L.A. ... and grabbed some lunch to celebrate their reunion.

"The Notebook" director and his 12-year-old girl, Barbie, were spotted at Jerry's Deli in Studio City Saturday ... just a day after an Oklahoma judge awarded Nick lawful custody of her.

We broke the story ... Cassavetes' ex, Heather Wahlquist, squared off with Nick in an Oklahoma courtroom Friday, asking the judge for an emergency order to keep Barbie in her custody. The judge rejected her request.

So Nick and Barbie look copacetic in California now, but the custody battle ain't over -- they're back in a California family law court January 18.

Nick Cassavetes has won a major victory -- he has his child back after claiming his baby mama stole their child from him ... TMZ has learned.

Nick appeared in an Oklahoma courtroom Friday to square off with Heather Wahlquist over 12-year-old Barbie. Wahlquist was asking the judge for an emergency order to allow her to keep Barbie in her custody, despite the fact that it's a California case. The Oklahoma judge rejected her request.

Nick has claimed Heather and her mother essentially stole Barbie and went on the run, despite the fact that the California custody order gave him physical custody effective December 18.

Barbie went back into chambers with the judge for about a half hour, and after their talk the judge told Nick he was the one who had current lawful custody, so they left the courtroom together.

The famed "Notebook" director tells TMZ Barbie is back in L.A. with him.

Heather had claimed Nick neglected Barbie while he had custody and she returned recently with a bacterial infection. She made other claims as well but the Oklahoma judge rejected them.

Nick Cassavetes' baby mama Heather Wahlquist says she wants 100% custody of their 13-year-old daughter until Nick cleans up his act.

Heather appeared on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and chronicled what she says is a custody war that erupted without warning. She says she left Nick in 2012 and everything was square between her and the director of "The Notebook," until this month when Nick went after her for not turning over Barbie for the holidays.

TMZ broke the story ... Heather signed an agreement promising to turn Barbie over on December 18, but she didn't and claims it's because she questions Nick's stability, insinuating there might be a substance abuse issue.

She and Barbie are currently in Norman, Oklahoma and are due in court Tuesday. Nick wants a judge to hold Heather in violation of their agreement.