Olivier Martinez is requesting that his ex-wife, Halle Berry, pay $240,000 in legal fees incurred during their contentious custody battle over their son, Maceo. Martinez claims he lacks the financial means to cover the extensive legal work completed during the dispute.
Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail indicate Martinez stated his income and assets "vastly differ" from Berry's. He reported receiving approximately $776.34 in monthly residuals and possesses real estate valued at $550,000, including a home purchased for $500,000. His estimated monthly expenses are reported at nearly $17,556. Martinez currently owes his law firm $176,522.58, with an expected total of $240,000.
Martinez asserted that while he initially hoped for an informal resolution, a "lengthy trial ensued." He noted that multiple witnesses testified for Berry, significantly extending the proceedings. He cited Family Code § 2030, which allows courts to order a financially capable party to cover the opposing party's legal fees and costs to ensure parity.
The custody dispute intensified last month when Martinez accused Berry of physically abusing their 13-year-old son, allegations Berry has denied. Last week, a judge granted Martinez primary physical custody of Maceo and dissolved a temporary restraining order he had filed against Berry on behalf of himself and their son. Berry's attorney expressed satisfaction with the dissolution of the restraining order, stating Berry remains focused on her family's well-being.
Despite the shift in custody, Berry retains joint legal custody and holds the tie-breaker vote in future disagreements. Martinez expressed a desire for improved relations between Maceo and his mother, stating he hopes their son will not "hate his mom" and will eventually reconcile.
Martinez and Berry were married from 2013 to 2015, with their divorce finalized in 2023. The court is scheduled to reconsider the custody matter next month.