Here’s something you don’t see every day: a father is awarded sole legal custody, a rarity in family court disputes. That’s what happened when Actor Jesse Williams was just awarded sole legal custody of his two children following a years-long custody dispute with ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee.
The 43-year-old Grey’s Anatomy star appeared in court on March 20, 2024, where a judge ruled in his favor after months of legal negotiations regarding visitation and support arrangements.
ICYMI, Williams and Drake-Lee, who separated in 2017 and finalized their divorce in 2020, have been engaged in an ongoing legal battle over custody of their children, 10-year-old Sadie and 9-year-old Maceo. The actor had previously sought equal parenting time, expressing frustration over limited visitation during the school year. Williams stated in court filings that he had only been granted two overnight visits with his children throughout the academic year.
The custody decision marks a significant development in what has been a highly publicized and complex separation. Drake-Lee had previously pursued sole custody, citing Williams’ acting career and frequent work-related travel as factors affecting his availability.
Get this, financial matters have also played a role in the divorce proceedings. Initially ordered to pay more than $50,000 monthly in combined child and spousal support, Williams later saw those payments reduced to $6,413 monthly after leaving Grey’s Anatomy and experiencing a decreased income.