It is a sad reality that divorce sometimes brings out the worst in two people. Though it may be hoped that mutually agreeable arrangements can be made through a collaborative process, there are some cases in which that cannot be accomplished. A clear example comes from one child custody story; even though the parties are well-known celebrities, the events are not without parallel here in Alberta.
Actress Paula Patton and singer Robin Thicke have recently been engaged in a bitter dispute over their 6-year-old son, Julian. She has publicly alleged that Thicke has used excessive corporal punishment on the youngster, and that the boy is now scared of his father. Patton has also expressed concerns about her ex-husband’s drug and alcohol use. A report was made to the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. On Jan. 12, she filed for a change to their custody arrangement in an effort to limit Thicke’s access to their son.
Thicke, in a statement of defence, claims he has occasionally administered a light spanking as a last resort when disciplining his son. He believes the attempt to change the custody arrangement was prompted by his ex-wife’s anger at being excluded from the funeral of his father, actor Alan Thicke. The judge ruled against Patton’s request for emergency relief.
The use of children as pawns during and after a divorce is not limited to Hollywood stars. Unfortunately, things like this happen all too often, to the detriment of the parents and especially the children. Anyone who feels he or she is being persecuted in a child custody dispute, or that unfair terms are being imposed, has every right to contact an attorney. The lawyer’s understanding of Alberta family law may be of great benefit in such a situation.
Source: ET Canada, “Paula Patton Launches Custody Battle Against Robin Thicke, Judge Denies Her Request For Emergency Hearing To Limit His Custody“, Shakiel Mahjouri, Jan. 12, 2017