Scarlett Johansson Divorce Filing Could Lead to Custody Battle

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson recently filed for divorce from her husband Romain Dauriac, a move that could lead to a contentious custody battle over the couple’s daughter.

The Hollywood couple had been married for less than two years when they legally separated in summer 2016. Johansson and Dauriac did not disclose their separation to the media, but it became impossible to keep the couple’s break-up a secret after Johansson filed divorce papers in a New York City family court. In the divorce filing with the court, Johansson cites “irreconcilable differences” as a reason for the dissolution of the marriage and states that the couple’s relationship is “irretrievably broken.”

Dauriac’s representatives recently issued a statement to the media and indicated that they perceive Johansson’s divorce filing as a “preemptive strike” in what is expected to be a combative divorce process. The acrimony between the estranged couple reportedly stems from child custody issues: Johansson wants the couple’s young daughter, Rose, to live with her in New York City. This could be a problem for Dauriac because he resides in France. Moreover, Dauriac reportedly rejects the idea that joint custody is appropriate in this case because he claims that he has been the child’s “primary parent” while his actress wife has focused on her Hollywood career. Dauriac is likely to petition for residential custody of the couple’s daughter, with the stipulation that Johansson should feel free to visit the child in Paris whenever she wants.

Although this is a high-profile, celebrity divorce (with a prenuptial agreement to protect both parties’ assets), the reality is that these kinds of child custody disputes are quite common in any divorce involving minor children. Beyond that, child custody disputes can be particularly contentious when one of the parents plans to move to another state (or country) after the divorce is finalized.

Anytime one parent seeks to relocate following a divorce, it is necessary for a court to determine whether the parent should be allowed to remove the child and get residential custody. Additionally, the divorce court would need to determine whether the nonresidential parents – the one not relocating – should be granted parenting time and visitation rights.

If you are thinking about filing for divorce in Camden County or anywhere else in NJ, you need to speak with a qualified family law and divorce lawyer. The experienced divorce attorneys at Davis & Mendelson will help you throughout the divorce process and fight on your behalf when it comes to issues of child support, child custody, and alimony. Contact us now to schedule a consultation.