Halle Berry looked radiant last night at the Academy Awards, as if she hadn’t a worry in the world. Much to the contrary, Berry and former boyfriend Gabriel Aubry have been locked in conflict over custody of 2-year-old Nahla for months. When the couple split last year, it appeared that they were amicable enough to co-parent Nahla without problem. Then, at the end of 2010, there were indications that the civility was tenuous, if it existed at all.

Aubry filed for a determination of paternity (which was never in question but had apparently never been legally established) and establishment of custody orders in December. The conflict between Aubry and Berry quickly became public via comments that “sources” made to the media.

Sources told the tabloids that Berry claimed Nahla was afraid of Aubry. There was even suggestion that he made racist statements about Berry and did not want Nahla to be described as black.

His sources told the media outlets that Berry was jealous of his dating relationships and that she was too focused on her work, often to the detriment of their daughter. Aubry reportedly claimed that when he went to London and South Africa with Berry and Nahla last August for a movie Berry was shooting, she would leave and not return for days, even when she was supposed to be caring for Nahla.

Aubry has complained that, when Berry leaves town to film, it interferes with his ability to spend time with his young daughter. Similar complaints last year led to his trip to London and South Africa while Berry filmed.

After battling it out in the gossip columns for several weeks, the former couple headed to court where Berry earned a temporary victory. She was granted permission to take Nahla to New York for the filming of the movie New Year’s Eve. She had previously dropped out of the movie when it appeared that Aubry was going to object – but rejoined the cast when the court granted her permission to take Nahla with her for the one-week shoot.

There is some suggestion that Berry will be back in court soon, asking for permission to take Nahla back to New York for a longer period of time. She is reportedly considering a Broadway play that will run in NYC for four months this fall.

Berry is represented by experienced celebrity domestic attorney Neal Hersh.

Library Topics: custody, paternity

See Also:

• Halle Berry’s Ex Files for Paternity