In 2026, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge officially dissolved a temporary domestic violence restraining order obtained against actress Halle Berry by her former husband, French actor Olivier Martinez, while ordering that primary custody of their 13-year-old son remain temporarily with Martinez pending a future hearing.
Judge Shelley Kaufman presided over the proceedings in Los Angeles, which marked the latest phase in an acrimonious legal battle over the care and custody of the former couple’s child, Maceo.
The dispute originated from legal filings submitted by Martinez in September 2026. Martinez alleged that on 26 September, Berry engaged in physical abuse towards their 13-year-old son following an argument over virtual reality gaming goggles, asserting that she placed her hands around the child’s neck and subjected him to emotional distress. Martinez initially obtained an ex parte temporary restraining order (TRO) alongside temporary primary physical custody.
Berry submitted formal court declarations completely refuting the claims, stating under oath:
“I have never physically, emotionally, or otherwise abused Maceo. I am a victim of domestic violence, and I help victims of domestic violence.”
Berry’s legal team, led by attorney Marina Beck, branded the allegations entirely baseless and deliberately misleading, accusing Martinez of attempting to manipulate legal procedures. Prior to the ruling, Berry urged the court to treat claims with caution, arguing that Martinez had coached and manipulated their neurodivergent child during the two weeks he remained under his primary care. The court also received a sworn declaration from Berry’s 18-year-old daughter, Nahla, who stated that she had resided with her mother throughout her life and had never witnessed any abusive or aggressive behaviour towards her half-brother.
During an evidentiary hearing held on 19 October, the 13-year-old child provided sealed testimony before the court lasting nearly four hours.
Delivering the ruling, Judge Kaufman declined Martinez’s petition for a permanent domestic violence restraining order and formally dissolved the temporary order that had been issued against Berry.
Addressing the outcome, Marina Beck, counsel for Berry, stated:
“We are extremely pleased that the Court has dissolved the TRO. As we move forward, Halle is determined to continue to focus on the well-being and best interests of her family.”
Conversely, Martinez’s counsel, Patrick Baghdaserians, characterised the outcome regarding custody as a major win for his client, as the court ordered the existing physical custody parameters to remain active on an interim basis.
Under the judge’s ruling, Martinez will retain temporary primary physical custody of the 13-year-old child until both parties return to court for a formal evidentiary hearing to determine long-term custodial arrangements.
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