Halle Berry and Van Hunt Seen Leaving Court Amid Custody Battle with Olivier Martinez

Halle Berry was seen leaving a Los Angeles courthouse on Friday hand-in-hand with her fiancé, Van Hunt, as her contentious custody battle with ex-husband Olivier Martinez regarding their 13-year-old son, Maceo, progresses. This appearance marked the fifth consecutive day Berry had been present at court this week.

Martinez previously obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Berry, alleging she had "physically abusing" their son by "jumping on him and choking him" in a September 26 incident. Berry has denied all of these allegations.

Berry's daughter from a previous relationship, Nahla Aubry, 18, was slated to testify in the case via an online stream. In a declaration filed with Los Angeles Superior Court on October 5 and reviewed by The Daily Mail, Nahla stated she had never witnessed her mother physically abuse Maceo. "I have also never seen my mom throw anything at anyone, not a knife, or plate, or any other object," Nahla wrote. "I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way."

Nahla described seeing Berry and Maceo "playfully wrestle, tickle each other, and roll around laughing on the floor or on a bed many times," and added that she had never witnessed Berry engage in "any conduct remotely resembling the allegations that have been made against her." She characterized her mother as "a loving and devoted parent" who "can be strict when necessary and expects her children to follow rules and be respectful."

In a legal filing reviewed by The Daily Mail, Berry claimed Martinez has repeatedly interfered with Maceo's schooling and therapy, hindering progress. She asserted that Martinez has inappropriately involved Maceo in the custody battle and undermined her efforts with the teen. Berry requested sole legal custody over decisions concerning Maceo's education, healthcare, and mental health, seeking to extend her tie-breaking authority to implement necessary interventions without further delay or conflict.

Berry's legal team stated in the filing that the case involves Martinez's "efforts to use manipulation, alienation, and litigation to obstruct necessary interventions for Maceo and to circumvent orders." They further argued that Martinez's "custom and practice is confirmed by numerous judicial findings, court orders, and sanctions."

Berry also indicated in her filing that Maceo's behavioral issues at school had escalated significantly since the temporary restraining order was issued. School administrators noted in letters submitted to the court that Maceo had become increasingly oppositional, defiant, and disrespectful, engaged in disruptive behavior, harassed a younger student, used inappropriate language, thrown objects at peers, and unilaterally announced his intention to switch schools. Berry contended that Martinez's encouragement has led Maceo to believe he has control over decisions regarding his education, health, extracurricular activities, and general welfare.

In addition to seeking sole custody, Berry requested the court authorize a year of individual and conjoint therapy sessions for Maceo with a therapist of her choosing. She also asked that both parties be ordered to communicate exclusively via the co-parenting app Our Family Wizard, with each party checking the app once a day and sending no more than one non-emergency message daily.

Berry and Martinez were married from 2013 to 2015, with their divorce finalized in 2023. Martinez was seen in 2016, and Berry was seen in September in New York City.