Court alters Halle Berry's custody schedule after abuse allegations by Olivier Martinez

Restraining order and custody ruling

A Los Angeles County court issued a temporary restraining order against Halle Berry on 1 October 2026 following child abuse allegations submitted by her former husband, Olivier Martinez. The judicial order mandates that Berry remain at least 100 meters away from Martinez while establishing a modified temporary schedule for their 12-year-old son, Maceo. Under the revised court ruling, Berry retains unsupervised visitation rights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 to 20:00. The presiding judge rejected Martinez's demand to strip Berry of visitation rights entirely, preserving partial custody so maternal contact remains uninterrupted. The temporary restrictions will stay in place until a formal hearing on 16 October 2026, with the court also instructing both parents to attend confidential custody mediation.

Allegations submitted by Martinez

In his petition filed on 1 October 2026, Martinez sought sole custody, citing an altercation that took place at Berry's residence on 26 September 2026. The court filing asserts that Berry became aggressive while Maceo was wearing virtual reality glasses and playing video games, shouting at him before jumping on him and placing her hands around his neck. Martinez stated in the documents that the actress shouted at the boy during the struggle and that her partner, musician Van Hunt, was inside the home during the episode. According to Martinez, Maceo called him in panic after the altercation asking to be collected from the residence. The petition also alleged historical instances of verbal and physical hostility, including past domestic disputes, and requested that Berry undergo testing to ensure she is not under the influence of substances during visits.

Defense response and legal arguments

Berry's attorney, Marina Beck, denied the accusations in public statements, maintaining that the court filing was manufactured to harm the actress.

Today's filing is, in some ways, not entirely unexpected from a person with a history of erratic, possessive, and violent behavior.

Beck asserted that prior court findings document Martinez repeatedly violating court mandates and interfering with essential educational and therapeutic interventions for their son. The defense maintained that Berry remains committed to Maceo's welfare and will continue providing parental care despite the court battle. Martinez's legal counsel, Patrick Baghdaserian, stated that the filing was initiated because the child's physical safety and psychological wellbeing remain the father's primary concern.

Background of the custody battle

Berry and Martinez married in 2013 and initiated divorce proceedings in 2015, eventually reaching a formalized divorce settlement in 2023 after eight years of litigation. That 2023 agreement established joint physical custody of Maceo alongside an $8,000 monthly child support payment from Berry to Martinez. The current dispute continues the legal proceedings surrounding their son, who turns 13 in October 2026. Berry, who also has an 18-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, is scheduled to appear alongside Martinez before the Los Angeles judge on 16 October 2026 to resolve whether the temporary custody restrictions will become permanent.