Celebrity Spotlight: Divorce and Custody Battles

By Ephrat Livni, Esq. on January 27, 2016 | Last updated on December 13, 2021

Sometimes we can get the impression that celebrities are very special, maybe not quite mortal. But when it comes to divorce, the stars often prove themselves to be decidedly normal.

Just like other couples, the rich and famous squabble over support and child custody. Unlike the rest of us, however, celebrities can often afford protracted legal battles. Let's take a look at some celebrity divorces and custody battles in the spotlight recently.

Tom to Take on Kat?

Sometimes matters seem settled, and then someone gets an idea and the battle is on again. Tom Cruise for example, announced in December that he is willing to take Katie Holmes to court if she tries to prevent him from reconnecting with his daughter Suri.

Holmes has full custody over their child. Cruise has reportedly been apart from his daughter for nearly three years -- over 800 days -- but he says now that he wants to raise Suri as a Scientologist. Holmes initially sought sole custody of Suri in court but later announced that she and Cruise had settled their differences. Now it seems trouble is brewing again, according to Hollywood Life.

Halle Gears Up?

Halle Berry just announced her third divorce last year. Although Berry and her latest ex, Frenchman Olivier Martinez, do have a child and it is possible that disputes will arise, she is perhaps best known custody battle was with husband number two. Berry said he straightened and lightened their daughter's hair to make her look more white and sought sole custody of the kid. She even enlisted the assistance of a superstar friend, Selma Hayek, who vouched for Berry's parenting and spoke in support of her taking the girl to Paris.

Madonna's Unhappy Christmas

Madonna's last Christmas was not a happy one, as she fought with her ex-husband Guy Ritchie about their son. The teenage boy was supposed to be home in New York with his mother for the holidays, but he remained wth dad in London and reportedly refuses to come home.

Moral of the Story

The moral of this story is one that you have heard before but is worth repeating. Money can't buy you love ... or protect you from the problems of being a person.

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