Halle Berry Seeks Sole Custody of Son Maceo Amid Co-Parenting Dispute with Ex-Husband Olivier Martinez

Halle Berry has recently filed for sole custody of her 10-year-old son, Maceo, from her former husband, Olivier Martinez. According to a source speaking to PEOPLE, the X-Men actress made the move after accusing Martinez of refusing to co-parent effectively and failing to communicate in a way that prioritizes their child’s well-being.

In legal documents obtained by the outlet, Berry is requesting sole legal custody or, alternatively, tie-breaking authority to make all major decisions regarding Maceo’s education, health, and therapy needs. The documents, filed on August 16 in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County, detail Berry’s efforts to address her son’s educational challenges and behavioral concerns. These efforts included seeking tutoring, an educational assessment, and finding a suitable environment for Maceo’s needs.

However, the documents allege that Martinez has been “oppositional, unmoving, and has withheld his consent for years,” making it difficult for Berry to secure the necessary support for Maceo. “Because of Olivier’s opposition to any interventions whatsoever for years and because of his prioritizing soccer activities over Maceo’s educational and psychological well-being, Maceo’s educational and behavioral challenges worsened, and he continued to fall further behind in school,” the legal filing states.

Berry also claims that Martinez believes their son is “old enough to make his own decisions,” further complicating the situation. In response to the allegations, a lawyer for Martinez told the outlet that he plans to respond to the claims in the coming weeks.

Halle’s legal team emphasized in the documents that Martinez’s refusal to co-parent or communicate in a child-centered way has hindered their ability to make decisions that benefit Maceo. “By refusing to communicate, withholding consent, or deferring decisions, he has effectively delegated to himself sole decision-making authority in violation of the parties’ Stipulated Judgment,” the document reads.

As the custody battle unfolds, Berry is seeking to ensure that she can make the best decisions for her son’s future, despite the ongoing challenges in co-parenting with Martinez.