After domestic violence allegations and an earlier “no contest” plea to a misdemeanor battery charge, Mel Gibson was still able to preserve his rights as a father. Going forward, he will now get the exact same parenting rights as his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
The details of the settlement were disclosed inside of a courtroom on Wednesday, with Gibson having joint custody of the couple’s 1-year-old daughter. Specifically, their daughter will have her time evenly split between both parents.
Under the terms of their settlement, Gibson will also have to pay his ex-girlfriend $750,000, and she will continue to live in the home that he once provided. However, she is only allowed to live in that home for about 16 years, as once their daughter Lucia – who was born in October of 2009 – turns 18, Grigorieva will have to move out and the home will be sold.
All of the money made from the sale of the home will be put into a trust for Lucia.
“Lucia was born out of love and she was a planned child,” an attorney for Grigorieva said regarding the details of the settlement.
When looking at this child custody case, it highlights the fact that more and more fathers now have joint legal custody of their children. And even in cases where accusations are being made in order to try and paint one parent as unfit, it is still possible to reach an agreement that is favorable for not only the child, but also for both of the parents.
Source: CNN International, “Mel Gibson makes peace with baby’s mother,” Alan Duke, Aug. 31, 2011
