Custody Battles

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have reached a custody agreement, but it is vague for an obvious reason ... Ben's issue with alcohol.

As we have already reported, the couple long ago agreed to joint custody of their 3 kids. There are 2 elements to the agreement -- legal and physical custody.

Legal custody is simple ... they will jointly agree on decisions that affect the kids, such as education and various activities.

As for physical custody, that's where it gets tricky. As we reported, the divorce was held up for a long time because Ben was on and off the bottle, and Jennifer didn't want to strike any custody arrangement until he was sober and stable.

We're told the physical custody agreement is vague ... it doesn't outline any specific division of time with the kids. But, we're told, at least at the beginning, Jen will get the lion's share of custodial time, and when Ben has the kids he will have a monitor to ensure he's sober and the kids are safe.

There's another factor -- their kids are older now -- 12, 9 and 6 -- and they may be conscious of Ben's problem with alcohol and how it's affected their family, and they will have a voice as well.

Mel B agreed to submit to random drug testing to prove she's a fit parent, and so far ... it looks like a good decision.

Mel was tested for drugs and alcohol 3 times recently -- on September 6, 7 and 10 -- and the results were negative for all of them ... according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

To be clear ... the results show she tested negative for everything -- alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and addictive painkillers.

We broke the story ... the Spice Girl agreed to submit to the testing for a limited time as part of her ongoing custody battle with Stephen Belafonte. This came after a member of their household staff accused her of being an alcoholic and a sex addict who's unfit to retain custody of their kids.

Mel strongly denied the accusations, and now has test results to back her up ... at least pertaining to the alcoholic claims.

As part of their last settlement, Mel B also agreed to submit to a child custody evaluation with psychological testing. In new legal docs, Belafonte proposed a list of custody evaluators.

6:00 AM PT -- Govan was released after posting $100,000 bail.

"Basketball Wives" star Gloria Govan was arrested for felony child endangerment after a dangerous fight with her ex-husband ... which cops say put their kids at risk.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Gloria's kids were at their school Friday, about to get out for the day, and ex-husband Matt Barnes was scheduled to pick them up. We're told according to their child custody agreement, Matt had custody for the long, Labor Day weekend.

Our sources say at 2:55 PM -- 5 minutes before school let out -- Gloria arrived to get the twin boys. She got the children in her car and that's when Matt showed up and told her it was his weekend for the kids.

We're told Matt told the kids to get out of Gloria's car and into his. It appears the kids followed Matt's instructions, because we're told Gloria then flew into a rage, tried to follow Matt's car, screaming and cussing. Our sources say she then blocked Matt's car with the kids inside, and that's when someone called 911.

Gloria was arrested for child endangerment and also violating a court order. After police took Gloria to jail, they let Matt take the kids after he showed them paperwork he had custody this weekend.

4:00 PM PT -- Mel B says she is not a "raging alcoholic," though she does drink socially. She also denies she takes "illicit drugs," and says she's not a sex addict ... these are her responses to Belafonte's request for sole legal and physical custody.

Mel B claims Russell Updegraff's declaration in which he makes these claims has no credibility, because she says he's an ex employee who has an ax to grind, and he and Belafonte are hell bent in dragging her through the mud and ruining her reputation out of spite.

She says she is willing to submit to random drug testing for a limited period of time to prove she's a fit parent, and wants Stephen to do the same.

And, in her legal docs Mel B repeats her claim that Belafonte has abused her so badly she's suffering from PTSD.

Mel also agrees to submit to a child custody evaluation with psychological testing, because she strongly opposes Stephen getting full custody. She also states the following -- she's not a "sex addict" who brings home random men, she is not a raging alcoholic as Stephen paints her to be, she does not take illicit drugs ... and her children's well-being is her top priority

There's more ... Anthony Santa Maria -- Mel B's housekeeper and childcare services provider -- vouches for Mel in the docs, claiming he's never witnessed her drunk "or even buzzed," and he's never seen her do anything remotely dangerous or neglectful with her kids.

Short story ... Mel B says Belafonte is angry, hungry for media attention and he has waged a vicious campaign to destroy her so he can stay in the spotlight.

10:15 AM PT -- We've learned Mel B and Stephen reached a settlement in the judge's chambers. The details are confidential. On her way out of court, we asked Mel if she was going to rehab ... but she was mum.

Stephen Belafonte says Mel B isn't fit to retain custody of her children, because she's in the grip of an alcohol-fueled spiral ... so claims ex-husband Belafonte.

Belafonte appeared in court Friday, armed with documentation from people who have been close to Mel B. She showed up as well, covered in sweat.

One of the declarations Belafonte submitted is from Russell Updegraff, who said in legal docs he's been responsible for watching her 2 kids, Madison and Angel, who he says are at serious risk because of a profound drinking problem on Mel B's part.

Updegraff claims Mel B drinks daily ... often starting as early as 10 AM. He says the day begins with beer, and then turns to wine and eventually hard liquor ... including vodka, tequila and gin. He says Mel B typically passes out, awakes and then becomes mean and belligerent.

Updegraff says the drinking problem is so bad, she's asked him to go to the store and get 12 bottles of wine, 2 bottles of vodka and one to two 12-packs of beer ... which she consumes in 4 to 5 days.

According to Updegraff's declaration, Madison, who turns 7 Saturday, and 11-year-old Angel are scared and stressed. He claims Mel B was sometimes physically abusive to Angel, digging her nails into her, grabbing her and shaking her.

Updegraff also says Mel B has been a cocaine user, although the docs suggest the real issue now is alcohol.

And, Updegraff says Mel B often brings various men home, with the kids present. In one case, he says a strange man tried to bring Madison into the shower, and he had to intervene and stop him.

He also says Mel B would regularly leave town for 1 to 2 weeks at a time and never check in to see how the kids were doing.

The hearing will be held this morning. We will update when the judge rules.

Belafonte wants temporary custody of kids so Mel B can go to rehab and get clean. He does not want to take the kids away from her, but fears they are at extreme risk given Mel B's state.

Billy Bush is willing to fork over spousal support, but he wants his estranged wife to budge when it comes to custody of their 2 minor kids.

In new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Billy says he wants joint physical and legal custody of their 13 and 17-year-old daughters. Billy's estranged wife, Sydney Davis, had wanted joint legal and primary physical custody, so it seems a battle may be brewing on that front.

As far as spousal support, Sydney requested it and Billy didn't fight it.

TMZ broke the story ... Sydney filed legal docs to end the marriage last month, citing irreconcilable differences.

Angelina Jolie's out and about with the kiddos again, and this time they're hitting up the theater.

Ang and 4 of her 6 kids -- Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox -- were seen in L.A. Saturday heading to see a movie together ... flanked by a couple bodyguards.

Not sure what they're seeing, but they've got some good family options with "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation," "Christopher Robin" ... or maybe even the hit shark flick "The Meg."

As we reported ... Angelina returned to the U.S. with her children last week after being ordered to do so by a judge in her divorce case with Brad Pitt.

As for the divorce ... it's grown increasingly contentious and hostile the past couple months, so much so that Jolie's lawyer is quitting.

We've also been told Brad's been struggling to maintain a relationship with their 6 kids, with sources claiming she's not helping any.

Angelina Jolie is not blocking Brad Pitt from seeing their kids, but sources involved in the case say she continues to drive a wedge between them and Brad.

Sources with knowledge of the case claim Angelina continues to exert influence over the former couple's 6 kids ... and it's been effective. We're told Brad is having trouble connecting with his children ... some of whom don't even want to see him.

We're told the 3 boys are the ones who have been influenced the most. The girls are more open toward Brad.

The divorce judge issued a report criticizing Angelina for not allowing the children to properly interact with their dad. The judge laid down a cell phone policy in which Brad can call and text the kids at will, and Angelina can't monitor the conversations.

As we reported, the kids are now all in L.A., per the judge's order, where Brad has significant custodial time with them. Our sources say Angelina has not blocked Brad's ability to see the kids, but they say Angelina continues to drive a wedge between Brad and the kids and it's had a significant impact on his ability to restore his relationship with them.

We reached out to Angelina's rep ... so far, no word back.

Jenelle Evans has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing in a child abuse investigation ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Jenelle's baby daddy, Nathan, triggered the investigation by telling cops their son, Kaiser, would repeatedly come to his house with bruises. Nathan thought the bruises were at the hands of Jenelle's husband, David Eason.

Social workers from the Dept. of Social Services visited Jenelle's home late last month and determined there was no abuse. We don't know how they determined the nature and cause of the bruises.

We've learned the Columbus County Sheriff's Office has just cleared both Jenelle and David of any impropriety.

When Nathan filed the police report, he also tried to wrestle custody away from Jenelle and refused to return Kaiser to her, but that was short-lived ... authorities ordered him to return the child to his mother.

Angelina Jolie has returned to the U.S. with her kids, and the reason is simple ... she was ordered to do so by the judge in her divorce case.

Angelina was shopping Sunday in WeHo with 3 of her kids at Whole Foods.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Angelina was ordered to return with the kids Saturday. According to the judge's order, Brad Pitt has a right to custody of the kids for no less than 4 hours every other day on school days and 12 hours every other day on non-school days.

Brad and Angelina are due back in an L.A. court this week to hammer out more custody issues. The judge is waiting for a custody evaluation by at least one psychiatrist. In the meantime, the judge indicated he will deal with temporary custody issues while he waits for the report.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are at war in their divorce case, but the more immediate struggle is the co-parenting situation that even has a judge issuing a warning to cool it ... or else.

We're told Brad has been spending the bulk of his Summer in England -- where Angelina and the kids live -- so he can see his 6 children. The judge in the divorce case set out a schedule for Brad to visit with his children in London beginning in mid-June for 10 hours a day. The visitation increased last month to 4 consecutive days at a time.

Our sources say Brad and Angelina never interact with each other, and the handoffs are always through nannies and assistants.

It's clear there have been issues over Brad interacting with the kids. The judge in the divorce case already issued an order saying Angelina tried to restrict Brad's access that the judge believed was "harmful" to the children. The judge even said Brad had a right to call and text the kids whenever he wanted, and Angelina could not monitor the contacts.

TMZ broke the stories about Angelina claiming Brad has only provided minimal child support, and Brad fired back in legal docs that he's paid her $1.3 mil in child support since they split nearly 2 years ago ... and he loaned her $8 million to buy a house.

From what we're told, things are getting worse, not better, between the two.

Stormy Daniels is quickly finding out divorce will prove costly ... she's been ordered to pay a bunch of bills because she's clearly the money earner.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Stormy must pay her estranged hubby, Glendon Crain, $1,000 per month in child support. That's just for starters -- she'll also pay the mortgage (doesn't say how much) on their house and make payments on their BMW and Cadillac. She's also on the hook for cell phone bills, boarding expenses for their horses and riding lessons for their 7-year-old daughter.

And, get this ... the house Stormy's paying for? Glendon gets exclusive access while the divorce winds through the legal system. He also gets to drive the Beamer. She gets the Cadi.

There's also this ... the court's ordered that any money Stormy makes from any upcoming book deals or on the UK's "Celebrity Big Brother" has to be placed in registry of the court ... meaning it's put aside and will probably be divided up when their divorce is final.

According to the docs, they have joint custody of their daughter.

As we reported ... Glendon filed for divorce last month ... about a week after Stormy was arrested at an Ohio strip club.

Brad Pitt's lawyers aren't mincing words ... they say Angelina Jolie is a master manipulator and a liar by essentially claiming he's a deadbeat dad, because they say he's forked over more than $9 MILLION over the last 2 years.

Brad's lawyers have responded to Angelina's latest attack where she claimed in legal docs he hasn't paid "meaningful child support" since their split in September 2016.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Brad fires back ... he loaned her $8 million so she could buy the home in which she currently lives, and shelled out more than $1.3 million in child support.

Brad's lawyers say Angelina and her lawyers have engaged in dirty tricks, calling them out for "a thinly-veiled effort to manipulate media coverage." Brad's lawyers point to Angelina's legal docs that were filed earlier this week, in which she asks the judge to grant the divorce quickly so she can be a single woman again ... leaving child support and other issues for a later date.

The attorneys for Brad are calling BS, saying THEY were the ones who called Angelina's lawyers last week asking for exactly that ... to grant the divorce decree quickly and then later deal with child support and property settlement issues. They say her lawyers said they'd discuss the matter with their client, and then Angelina made it look like it was SHE who wanted the quickie divorce.

The docs accuse Angelina of filing papers with the court that are "calculated to increase the conflict." They say her gripe over child support is bogus and she knows it.

Shots fired back.

Angelina Jolie is sick of being married to Brad Pitt and is asking the divorce judge to end her marriage and make her single again, even before the judge deals with some nasty child custody issues.

Angelina's new lawyer just filed legal docs asking the judge to issue a final divorce decree this year.

Her attorney also claims in the docs Brad Pitt has not paid "meaningful child support" since their separation nearly 2 years ago. She says there has been an "informal arrangement," but Brad has not even lived up to that agreement.

She wants the judge to issue a formal child support order and make it retroactive against Brad.

TMZ broke the story ... Angelina's lawyer, Laura Wasser, is going to quit because Angelina has been very difficult to work with and is making the divorce way more contentious than necessary. The document that was just filed is revealing, because she now has 2 new lawyers -- presumably the ones who will replace Wasser.

Stephen Belafonte's feeling like a million bucks after finally settling his long, bitter divorce from Mel B -- and he'll get a ton of money on top of it.

Stephen's thrilled with the outcome of the ex-couple's case because all abuse allegations made against him by Mel were dropped ... and he's not losing any parenting rights with their daughter either.

So, here's what he gets ... $5,000 a month in child support, and that's on top of the $15k a month in spousal support that he's already been getting. Mel B must also pay his lawyer's fees -- $350,000 to be exact.

Stephen and Mel B finally agreed to sell their Hollywood Hills home and split the profits 50/50.

As we reported, Mel B got a restraining order against Stephen after claiming abuse, and she dropped it. He also dropped his restraining order. They did agree to stay 200 yards clear of each other at all times.

Belafonte and Mel B share 50/50 custody of their daughter.

Britney Spears doesn't subscribe to the "More Money, More Problems" theory ... or so it seems 'cause she's having a helluva time with her 2 sons in the midst of a child support battle with Kevin Federline.

The singer and her 2 sons -- Sean and Jayden -- hit up a sightseeing tour Sunday at the Lustgarten in Germany. Awesome way to enjoy a break from her concert tour. They all seemed to enjoy the sights ... under the watchful eye of security. But back in the States, not everything was coming up roses.

TMZ broke the story ... Britney's legal team squared off Friday with Kevin, who has demanded way more in child support than the $20k per month she's been forking over. He wants $60k a month ... and she's willing to go around $10k a month higher, although she says she pays for everything and all he wants is to have her support his 4 other kids.

Angelina Jolie is fighting Brad Pitt so hard and nasty in their divorce and child custody dispute, her lawyer is quitting her ... sources tell TMZ.

Sources familiar with the matter say Angelina has been out for blood. As one source connected to Brad tells us, they believe she wants to kill any relationship he has with his kids. We're told there has been a lot of screaming on Angie's part ... as one source said, "She's fueled with anger and has gotten ridiculously unreasonable."

Our sources say her lawyer, Laura Wasser, is going to quit and made that known to her, because it's gotten too venomous. It seems like this was not a good match, because Wasser has made a name for herself in divorce circles by promoting settlements and co-parenting.

We're told Angelina has hired another law firm to take over when Wasser officially leaves, but for now the divorce is nowhere near settling ... it's more like all-out war.