Olivier Martinez Granted Primary Physical Custody of Son Maceo as Judge Bars Halle Berry From Overnight Visits

Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry has lost primary physical custody of her 13-year-old son, Maceo, to her ex-husband Olivier Martinez following an intense courtroom showdown in Los Angeles. Presiding Judge Shelley Kaufman ruled that Martinez will hold primary custody while Berry receives no overnight visits, ordering mother and son into mandatory therapy to repair their fractured dynamic.

The decisive verdict caps an escalating family dispute marked by severe allegations, sealed juvenile testimony, and contentious court filings between the former spouses, who divorced after three years of marriage. While the ruling dramatically shifts Maceo’s daily living arrangements, it also leaves the door open for supervised reconciliation.

Outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, attorneys representing Martinez made it clear that the French actor considers the legal outcome a complete vindication of his protective efforts.

“We are very happy, my client was granted primary physical custody, opposing party was granted absolutely no overnights, the child is safe and in my client’s custody,” Martinez’s legal team stated after the ruling was handed down.

Olivier Martinez is seen with his lawyers outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.

What the Los Angeles Superior Court Decided

The bench ruling issued by Judge Shelley Kaufman delivered an immediate and sweeping change to the co-parenting structure established after Berry and Martinez separated. Beyond stripping overnight visits, the court mandated targeted counseling sessions designed to foster long-term emotional stability.

Martinez’s counsel stressed that the therapy requirement serves as an essential pathway toward reconstructing the teenager’s relationship with his mother under structured oversight.

“There will be no overnights and the mother has been ordered to go to certain therapy with the child and we believe this is in the best interest of the minor child, it is fostering the relationship and we want repair,” the defense team added.

Despite losing day-to-day physical custody, Berry secured a legal relief of her own when the judge dissolved an existing temporary restraining order (TRO).

“We are extremely pleased that the Court has dissolved the TRO,” Berry’s legal representative confirmed. “As we move forward, Halle is determined to continue to focus on the well-being and best interests of her family.”

Halle Berry and Van Hunt emerge from the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.

The Clashing Allegations Behind Closed Doors

The high-stakes hearing stemmed from serious abuse allegations filed by Martinez, claiming Berry choked their son during an altercation at her residence and directed racially charged remarks toward him. Berry entered formal denials against all accusations.

A central dispute during the proceedings centered on whether 13-year-old Maceo should be permitted to testify before the court directly.

Maceo Martinez.

Sealed Testimony and Conflicting Witness Accounts

Berry vehemently objected to her son taking the witness stand, arguing in court filings that the neurodivergent teenager had been “coached and manipulated” while under Martinez’s care. Her legal team pushed for adult eyewitness accounts instead, citing partner Van Hunt and her daughter Nahla Aubry—whom she shares with ex-partner Gabriel Aubry—as objective observers of the household.

Despite Berry’s formal objections, Maceo delivered four hours of sealed testimony before the judge, accompanied by a school official who also appeared on the witness stand.

The conflicting claims presented by each party highlighted two entirely different narratives regarding the home environment:

• Martinez’s filings: Pointed to direct physical conflict, emotional distress, and testimony from the minor child alongside school personnel.
• Berry’s filings: Emphasized eyewitness statements from Van Hunt and Nahla Aubry while alleging Martinez improperly influenced the teen prior to court appearances.

Olivier Martinez outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse with legal counsel.

Key Outcomes of the Court Ruling

A common misconception in celebrity family law disputes is that losing physical placement terminates all parental interaction. In reality, the ruling establishes clear legal boundaries while laying out a court-ordered framework for rebuilding the familial bond.

For Martinez, the court’s verdict represents an opportunity to shield his son while hoping for eventual emotional healing within the family unit.

“I truly hope Maceo and his mother will be able to have a better relationship in the future… I don’t want my son to hate his mom. I want him to love her. I want him to forgive her, and I want them to [reconcile] in some sort at one point,” Martinez stated.

📱 High-profile family court rulings often trigger fierce public debates over co-parenting, child testimony, and custody standards.

💬 As Berry and Martinez adjust to this court-ordered arrangement, the primary focus remains on Maceo’s well-being and the road toward repair.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments below: do you agree with the court’s strict custody measures?