One of the most critical questions stemming from any Minnesota divorce involving children is where those children are going to live after the break up. It’s a matter that must be faced by all parents, regardless of economic circumstance or social standing.
Take for example the case of the noted singing artist Usher. He’s been in a child custody struggle with his estranged wife for some time. Recently a judge in the singer’s home state awarded the R&B star primary physical custody of his two sons. The decision marks an end to a long and antagonistic legal battle between the singer and his ex-wife, Tameka Foster Raymond. The ruling is set to go into effect Sept. 1.
Although Usher, whose legal name is Usher Raymond IV, has been granted primary physical custody, he and his ex-wife will share joint legal custody of their two children. The specific visitation arrangements for Ms. Raymond are reportedly yet to be determined.
The marriage between Usher and Tameka Foster Raymond began in 2007. The couple divorced two years later. Usher claims that they were separated after a little over a year of marriage. According to the singer, there was no chance that he and his ex-wife would ever reconcile. The relationship, he said, was broken beyond repair.
Earlier this year, Usher testified in court that his ex-wife became violent during one of her visits. According to Ms. Raymond’s attorney, the singer’s account of what happened that day is inaccurate.
The custody ruling comes at what is likely to a particularly hard time for Ms. Raymond. Just last month, she lost an 11-year-old son in a boating accident.
Source: The Washington Post, “R&B singer Usher wins primary physical custody of 2 sons, ending legal fight with ex-wife,” The Associated Press, Aug. 24, 2012