Court Approves Jesse Williams Visitation in Custody Filing, Orders Actor and Ex-Wife to Have Co-Parenting Sessions

Actor Jesse Williams was granted visitation rights with his children in New York, overruling his ex-wife's request to let their children stay in Los Angeles. Court also ordered him and his ex-wife to go through sessions of co-parenting. 

Jesse Williams and his ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee showed up in court Friday, September 30, to hear the decision about their current custody battle. Williams got the court's favor as he was awarded various visitation days with his children in New York City.

The actor and the real estate agent, both 41, were together for more than ten years and married for five until Williams filed for divorce in April 2017. A custody battle ensued since then over their two children, daughter Sadie, 8, and son Maceo, 7.

Williams can be recalled requesting custodial visits with his children while he temporarily relocates to New York City from Los Angeles this fall to once again play his Tony-nominated role in the "Take Me Out" Broadway revival.

Co-parenting sessions and other orders from the court

Despite Drake-Lee's argument against her ex-husband's request, the court allowed their two kids to visit the actor in New York on specific days in October, November, and December.

Moreover, the court also ordered the parents to do ten sessions of co-parenting counseling and were restrained from making derogatory remarks about each other, whether directly or indirectly, to their children or allowing any third party to do so, People reported.

The judge also ordered that they should not discuss the case with or in front of their minor children or anyone else and not use their children as messengers to "deliver messages to the other parent." And, when children are under their custody, they should not ask "excessive questions or interrogate" their children about what happened during the other parent's custody.

Lastly, the judge ordered that neither of them can post any derogatory remarks about the other that their kids will be able to see on social media.

Read Also: 5 Usual Reasons Why Couples Get Divorced

#SpeakingMyTruthIsSettingMeFree

After the court hearing, Drake-Lee took to Instagram and posted a photo of herself writing a lengthy caption that expressed how she felt about the court's decision.

She declared that it turned out the court thinks it is good for the children to regularly fly through overnight flights to accommodate a parent who would not do the same for them. 

"Those of us who walk this path know what it is and know what we need to do to protect ourselves and our babes to the best of our ability. Every day we show up and do what's needed despite the circumstances. I know I journey this road with my head held high and my integrity intact," she expressed.

She further said that she would be watching how long it would take for the "suspects" to leak attacking information and storylines to portray someone as the victim. She added the hashtag #SpeakingMyTruthIsSettingMeFree in her caption. 

Earlier this month, Williams went to court to change the custody agreement with his ex-wife, claiming she was not honoring the previous visitation agreement they had during his Broadway run in spring. He also claimed that she was not granting him to call the children once daily.

Drake-Lee, however, argued that she has the best interest of her children, and William's difficult and demanding requests can become unreasonable burdens to bear by her children. She also allegedly said that she was going through "emotional distress" because Williams and his legal team were allegedly bullying and harassing her.

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