Halle Berry and her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, are each claiming a measure of victory after a contentious custody dispute involving their 13-year-old son, Maceo-Robert Martinez.
The former couple returned to Los Angeles Superior Court, where Judge Shelley Kaufman issued several rulings on October 29. The judge dissolved the temporary restrictions previously placed on Berry and rejected Martinez’s request for a domestic violence restraining order.
However, Martinez was awarded primary physical custody of Maceo. The former couple will continue to share legal custody, meaning both parents retain authority over major decisions involving their son. Berry’s attorneys described the court’s decision as a positive outcome because the temporary restraining order against her was lifted. “We are extremely pleased that the Court has dissolved the TRO,” Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, told Page Six. “As we move forward, Halle is determined to continue to focus on the well-being and best interests of her family.”
Martinez’s attorney, Patrick Bagdaserians, confirmed that his client now has primary physical custody. According to reports, Berry’s legal team had requested that the former couple return to their previous 50/50 custody arrangement, but the judge rejected that request.
The ruling also reportedly prevents Berry from having overnight visits with Maceo for the time being. Martinez had sought additional restrictions on Berry’s custody during the holidays, but the judge denied that request.
The court may revisit custody-related issues in November, meaning Wednesday’s decision may not be the final word on the family’s long-term arrangement.
The dispute began after Martinez accused Berry of physically abusing their son during an alleged September incident. He requested sole custody and sought a domestic violence restraining order, claiming that Berry had placed Maceo in a headlock and choked him.
Berry strongly denied the allegations. In court documents, she said she had never physically, emotionally, or otherwise abused Maceo. She described the incident as an argument that escalated during what she characterized as playful roughhousing.
Berry also submitted evidence that she said contradicted Martinez’s account, including a photograph taken by Maceo. She argued that the image showed her standing calmly with her hands in her pockets and did not show injuries on the teenager.
The actress further disputed Martinez’s interpretation of text messages exchanged after the incident. Berry said she was upset that the evening had ended badly but denied sending messages that amounted to an admission of abuse.
Martinez’s request for a restraining order was ultimately rejected, and the temporary restrictions against Berry were dissolved. At the same time, the judge’s decision to grant Martinez primary physical custody represented a significant change from the previous shared-custody arrangement.
Both sides are now expected to follow the court’s current custody order while the possibility of further proceedings remains. The next review could address overnight visitation, the division of parenting time, and whether the couple should eventually return to a more equal custody schedule.
Berry and Martinez finalized their divorce in 2023 after years of legal disputes. They have generally shared custody of Maceo, who recently turned 13. The latest court battle has placed renewed attention on their parenting relationship, but both sides have emphasized that the teenager’s welfare should remain the central concern.
For now, Martinez will serve as Maceo’s primary residential parent, while Berry will continue to share legal custody. The judge’s order allows the former couple to move forward under a revised arrangement while leaving open the possibility of additional custody changes later this year.