There is a huge update in Rumer Willis‘ custody battle with former Derek Richard Thomas!
As we’ve reported, the former couple has been locked in a contentious legal battle over custody of their 3-year-old daughter Louetta after their breakup in 2024. She has made several accusations against him, including domestic violence. She even got a mother Demi Moore involved in the case, who accused Derek of everything from throwing tantrums to being “aggressive” and not financially or physically supporting Rumer or Louetta.
Related: Taylor Frankie Paul Scores Winner In Custody Battle With Dakota Mortensen!
Derek fiercely denied all the charges and threw out shocking allegations his own, including the accusation that his ex allegedly exploited their daughter in sponsored content that had “adult sexual humor” without his permission.
But the judge doesn’t side with Derek! According to court documents obtained by People On Thursday, Rumer was given primary physical custody of their toddler. The parents will share joint custody, with Thomas getting parenting time every other weekend starting on June 20. Visits will be supervised by one of Rumer’s nannies, but transition to unsupervised overnight visits in August.
What happens then? The filing states the couple will both undergo a custody evaluation. Rumer and Derek were also ordered to attend co-parenting counseling and to communicate only through a co-parenting app.
At this time, Rumer has not reacted to the win. Derek has, and he doesn’t seem upset about the result! His lawyer, Mike Kretzmertold People in a statement following the ruling:
“Mr. Thomas is very pleased with the court’s preliminary ruling on the custody issues. Judge White was properly focused on the issues at hand and carefully weighed the evidence presented. We are pleased that the court established a custody and visitation order that provides Mr. Thomas with a solid and meaningful opportunity to restore and develop his relationship with his daughter Louetta.”
The lawyer then added that they can’t wait to prove that Derek is a “loving, devoted and committed father to Loretta” in the future:
“We look forward to presenting further evidence that Mr. Thomas is a loving, devoted and committed father to Loretta when the court again hears this case. As I have previously stated, Mr. Thomas will try issues of custody of Louetta in court and will not distort the case by trying this case in the press.”
We’ll see what happens in the custody case. But for now, this is a huge win for Rumer! Reactions, perezcious readers? Tell us in the comments!
(Image via Rumer Willis/Derek Richard Thomas/Instagram)
