While it’s not surprising that many couples disagree over who will have custody of the children after a divorce or what the terms of the custody order will be, some disputes can get especially complicated, lasting years. A recent turn of events in one notable custody case, however, has shown that these things can change with just one judge’s orders.
Kelly Rutherford — an actress most noted for her work on the popular TV show “Gossip Girl” — was awarded temporary legal custody of her two young children on May 22, three years after a 2012 court order allowed her ex-husband to keep the kids with him in Monaco. The children’s father had reportedly had his U.S. visa revoked, and Rutherford was meant to come to Monaco for visitation with the kids.
Rutherford, however, alleged that her ex-husband would not allow her to see the children according to the terms of their custody agreement and wanted her to give their passports to a “neutral person” before seeing them. In light of this, she reportedly asked for an emergency hearing and a Los Angeles judge agreed that the children needed to be returned to their mother.
This case may be far from over, however, as the children’s father is not a U.S. citizen, and Rutherford’s lawyer told the media that they were depending on the Monaco officials to recognize the court order by ensuring the children were returned to the United States. International custody battles can be especially tricky, and it is important that any reunifications or significant changes in custody be handled in such as a way as to protect the best interests of the children.
Source: Seattle PI, “Kelly Rutherford wins sole custody of kids,” May 26, 2015
