R&B icon, Usher, split up with Tameka Foster, his wife of less than two years, in June, 2009. The couple became entrenched in a bitter custody battle over their two children, 3-year-old, Naviyd, and 4-year-old, Usher V. In court, Tameka argued that Usher had used drugs in front of the children and had been too absorbed in his music career to be a mindful father.
Usher lashed back at his ex-wife, accusing her of being irresponsible and of failing to attend to their kids’ needs. The fight devolved into a heated battle of name-calling, and Usher at one point “broke down” on the witness stand.
The emotional, aggressive battle ended in a victory for the rapper. A Judge granted Usher most of the custodial rights, although Tameka retained rights. Back in 2009, their custody battle was big news in the celebrity gossip world. But its lessons are still useful today. For instance:
1. Just because you stand accused of doing something wrong (such as taking drugs in front of your children) does not mean that you will be stripped of your custody rights.
2. Custody battles do not have to be bitter and divisive. But they can easily get that way, especially if the negotiation devolves into a “tit-for-tat” discussion.
3. Protect your rights and stand up to bad or dishonest behavior. But take the high road. Be fair and compassionate as well as assertive about your rights and your children’s rights.
For help getting to the bottom of your child custody case, connect with the team here at Dinnebier & Demmerle for a confidential evaluation of your case.