Halle Berry has revealed that she has spent over $200,000 in legal fees in an effort to co-parent her 10-year-old son with ex-husband Olivier Martinez amidst a contentious custody battle. The actress, known for her roles in films like 'Catwoman' and 'Monster's Ball,' filed court documents detailing her struggles to communicate and co-parent with Martinez in a child-centered manner.
Berry claimed that despite her efforts to work amicably with Martinez, he has been uncooperative and resistant to resolving major issues concerning their son, Maceo. The former couple initially agreed to share custody, but Berry now seeks sole custody, citing Martinez's refusal to engage in co-parenting and communication.
One of the points of contention between Berry and Martinez was their co-parenting therapy, which Martinez reportedly terminated without informing Berry. The actress expressed her disappointment in their inability to work together for the sake of their son, urging Martinez to let go of anger and negativity.
Messages exchanged between Berry and Martinez revealed a strained relationship, with Berry pleading for cooperation and Martinez accusing her of playing dirty. Berry emphasized the importance of putting Maceo's best interests first and expressed her exhaustion from the ongoing conflict.
Berry's decision to seek sole custody was influenced by concerns about Martinez's behavior negatively impacting Maceo's well-being, including behavioral and learning challenges. The couple, who split in 2015 after five years together and two years of marriage, also share a 16-year-old daughter, Nahla, from Berry's previous relationship with Gabriel Aubry.