Olivier Martinez Seeks $240,000 in Legal Fees
The former partner of Halle Berry asks a court to make her cover his legal costs in an ongoing custody dispute over their son.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Divorce
Olivier Martinez has asked a Los Angeles judge to order Halle Berry to pay $240,000 in legal fees, citing growing expenses in their custody case. The request was reported by TMZ based on new legal documents.
Why it matters
The filing puts a financial dimension on a high-profile custody fight involving a 13-year-old son, with Martinez saying he cannot afford the mounting costs. It also reflects how contested family-court proceedings can carry significant expenses for both parents.
Martinez's request is pending before the Los Angeles Superior Court, and the court has not yet ruled on the $240,000 fee demand. The filing claims $43,206.22 across various accounts, and the outcome of the request remains unknown.
The players
Olivier Martinez
A French actor known for films including Unfaithful, who is contesting custody of his son with Halle Berry.
Halle Berry
An Oscar-winning actress who is the mother of their 13-year-old son, Maceo, and is the subject of the fee request.
Los Angeles Superior Court
The California trial court that issued the custody and restraining-order rulings in the case.
The details
On October 29, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Shelley Kaufman dissolved a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Halle Berry but denied Martinez's request to make it permanent. The court kept temporary custody in place, giving Martinez primary physical custody of their son Maceo, and Berry is not currently permitted overnight visits.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: Judge Shelley Kaufman dissolved Berry's temporary restraining order and denied a permanent order.
November 4, 2026: TMZ reported Martinez's $240,000 legal fee request.
Legal Context
High-profile custody fights between celebrity former partners in Los Angeles frequently become public through court filings and tabloid reporting. This dispute follows that pattern, with fee requests and restraining-order rulings surfacing alongside the custody arrangement.
Divorce and custody fights can carry substantial legal costs that affect both parents' finances over time. Court-ordered fee requests like this one show how litigation expenses can shift between former partners while a custody arrangement is still being decided.
The takeaway
Ongoing custody litigation can generate expenses that outlast the initial dispute, making fee arrangements an important consideration for separating parents. Tracking the court's rulings on both custody and costs offers a clearer picture than headlines alone.
Further reading
For more on how custody and fee disputes unfold, explore our Divorce coverage.
