Montel Williams in Custody Fight 5

About: Entertainers

Montel Williams and Grace MorleyTelevision personality Montel Williams and his ex-wife Grace Morley divorced in 2000, a year after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. They share joint legal custody of their teenaged children – Montel II and Wyntergrace. The kids live with Morley.

Morley has asked a Connecticut court to modify the custody order, giving her sole legal custody. Williams is seeking to retain joint legal custody.

The kids have spoken out against their father, even apparently hiring an attorney to present their opinions to the court. They asked the court to order him to pay their legal fees. Williams claimed he couldn’t pay $7,500 in legal fees for their attorney in court last week. He is however reportedly current on his $18,700 monthly child support payments.

Williams hosted a daytime talk show for 17 years. Show topics often focused on the importance of family and social responsibility.

“My dad is now like a stranger,” Wyntergrace, 15, told the New York Daily News.

“I wouldn’t say I really have a relationship with my dad,” Montel II said. “He’s not in my life right now. It’s his choice.” The teenager indicated that his father argued about things like paying for his son’s PSAT testing.

Wyntergrace has indicated that she has seen her father four times in five years.

Williams claims that a life coach hired by Morley for the children is meddling in his relationship with the children, keeping them apart.

Both kids said that Williams used to take Montel II on vacations but excluded Wyntergrace. When Williams married for a third time in 2007, he invited his son but not his daughter. When Williams turned 50, he invited Montel II to the party but not Wyntergrace.

Courts determine custody only after determining what would be in the best interests of the children. Despite their advanced ages, the courts will not automatically issue an order in alignment with the requests or opinions of the Williams children. It is likely, because of their ages, that the court will give those opinions substantial weight in making its decision – but they will not be the only factor considered.

Library Topics: types of custody, modifying a custody order, child support

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