Custody Battles

Stephen Belafonte says he never adopted Eddie Murphy and Mel B's biological daughter because he always thought of himself as her true father, and it never occurred to him.

We got Stephen Monday night at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in WeHo, where he explained why he was still fighting for visitation rights to his stepdaughter, Angel, with Mel in court.

It comes down to this for Stephen ... Angel is his daughter, plain and simple. He says Eddie was never really in the picture, and he never thought he would have to adopt Angel because he would be with Mel forever. As for what went wrong -- besides the divorce -- he's got a label for what he believes Mel pulled in court.

Britney Spears' dad is calling Kevin Federline's bluff that he needs more child support to care for the 2 kids he had with the singer ... we've learned Jamie Spears will demand to see Kevin's 2017 tax return to see if he's working for a living or sponging off her.

We've learned K-Fed's lawyer sent Jamie Spears a letter Tuesday demanding her 2017 tax return. Kevin will be getting the exact same letter in the next day or so.

We're told Jamie Spears ain't budging ... he won't agree to pay Kevin a cent over the $20,000 a month he's been getting until Kevin gives him a full accounting on how the money is being spent. Jamie believes Kevin is misusing some of the $20k by spending it on his 4 other children from different women.

So far K-Fed and his lawyer haven't provided such an accounting, although they have demanded more child support. Jamie's position -- the kids needs haven't changed, so the only issue is whether $20k a month cuts it.

We're told Jamie wants to make sure the kids are getting what they need from both Kevin and Britney, and if a judge ultimately says she should pay more, he'll be down with it. But he wants to control the purse strings to make sure Kevin isn't squandering the cash on matters unrelated to Sean and Jayden.

Nas and Kelis are at war over issues involving their 8-year-old son, but they have actually come together and reached a settlement on the issue of custody.

We've learned Nas and Kelis have agreed to share joint legal and physical custody of Knight. The agreement is specific, breaking down who gets the child during various holidays. For example, Nas gets Knight on Father's Day and Kelis gets the child on Mother's Day.

They'll alternate Knight's birthdays ... he gets the even years and she gets the odd years.

When Nas and Kelis go to war, their lawyers jump right in also ... according to Kelis, who says Nas' attorney is calling hers a "dick."

Of course, the exes have an ongoing dispute over their child and she just filed docs, obtained by TMZ, which describe a deposition for which she recently sat. Things apparently got very heated ... and Kelis says Nas' lawyer called her attorney a "fattie" and a "dick."

Kelis' attorney, Navid Moshtael, says he's used to being called names -- he's a lawyer, after all -- but says this is the first time it's come from an "experienced attorney" in front of clients and on the record.

Imagine the transcriber's fingers flying during the argument.

Mel B is a drug addict and alcoholic who has walked into doors and has been hospitalized for ODs, and she has covered up the bruises and other injuries from her addiction by claiming it was domestic violence ... so says her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte.

Belafonte just filed legal docs in an effort to get visitation rights in connection with his stepdaughter, Angel, whose biological father is Eddie Murphy. Belafonte, who has been with Angel almost since her birth, claims Mel B is concocting lies about domestic violence to turn Angel against him.

He refers to a 2014 incident in London where Mel B claims he bashed her head into a door. Belafonte says, in fact, what happened was that Mel B ODd on drugs, was hospitalized and sustained bruises from the EKG machine and IV during her stay in the hospital, and falsely claimed it was the result of abuse.

He says she is so addicted to drugs and alcohol she walks into walls because she's drunk in the middle of the day. He says she is so wasted sometimes she will pull down her pants and try to urinate on the couch in front of the kids.

He also notes in his legal docs, obtained by TMZ, her claims that he forced her to have 3-ways is a lie. He says he has videos where Mel B initiates and records the trysts and looks into the camera and says, "That's hot!" and "I like it."

Mel claimed in docs Stephen showed the kids ISIS beheadings. He says this is a blatant lie and he hasn't even searched for such videos.

Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga cannot use their son's child therapist to make their custody case ... at least that's what the lawyer for the 8-year-old is demanding ... TMZ has learned.

The lawyer the judge appointed to represent David Jr. has filed legal docs asking the judge to prohibit Jennifer or David from calling the therapist to the stand to testify about the boy's state of mind and how the custody war has affected him.

We're told the reason the lawyer wants the protective order is so David Jr. can feel comfortable opening up with his therapist about both parents, without fear they will learn what he said.

Both sides, we're told, have been put on notice that David Jr.'s lawyer is asking the judge for the order.

No decision has been made, but it's a good bet the judge will sign on.

David Otunga says Jennifer Hudson is simply a liar when she grouses to the judge in their custody war that he needs to get a job, because he says she knows he already has one.

Otunga just fired back in legal docs, responding to Hudson's claim he essentially sits on the sofa and needs gainful employment so she doesn't have to pay support.

He says her claim is ironic because 5 years ago, she gave him an ultimatum ... telling him he had to either choose wrestling or his family. Translation ... she was the person who stopped him from wrestling full-time.

Otunga says he IS employed ... with the WWE, in addition to working on other entertainment projects.

He also says it's nervy for Hudson to grouse about money when she makes between $8 million and $13 million per season just for "The Voice."

Jesse Williams is firing back at his estranged wife, saying she's poisoning their children toward him ... and he insists she's all wet when she claims he has a girlfriend.

Aryn Drake-Lee has claimed Jesse is romantically involved with a woman the kids call Mama C. She claims it's in violation of their custody arrangement which requires them not to introduce a significant other until the relationship has lasted 6 months. He says she's a longtime mutual friend of theirs and that's it.

Jesse just filed legal docs saying Aryn has been interrogating their 2 children, trying to find fault with things he does.

She claimed in earlier docs his inconsistent schedule was disrupting their lives, hurting their development, but he calls BS, saying the kids eat their meals and get plenty of sleep while they're with him.

Jesse says it's rich for Aryn to complain about his work schedule, saying, "This is how I always supported our family and Aryn has no problem enjoying the financial benefits, including the $50,695 per month I pay her in temporary spousal support."

Jesse Williams didn't violate a custody order by letting his kids hang out with a woman his kids call "Mama C" ... because she's not his girlfriend, according to sources close to Jesse.

We broke the story ... Williams' ex, Aryn Drake-Lee, claims he violated their custody agreement by introducing their 2 kids to his new gf ... Ciarra Pardo ... well, at least Aryn thinks she's a gf.

According to our sources ... Jesse and Ciarra, a visual artist, have known each other for a very long time, but are not a couple and don't ever hook up. In fact, we're told Ciarra's been a pal since the kids were born, and Aryn knows her.

The two were recently on a trip together, joined by other friends, to Brazil.

Jesse Williams' estranged wife has several new beefs with him -- the biggest being introducing the kids to his new girlfriend, and showing a complete lack of cupcake etiquette ... according to new legal docs.

First, the gf issues. Aryn Drake-Lee says the "Grey's Anatomy" star has been taking their 2 kids to his new chick's house since October -- and the kids even call her "Mama C." She also claims he took them on a mini-vacay to Big Bear Mtn. with the unnamed gf.

Aryn says this is a clear violation of the custody agreement which requires both of them to wait 6 months into a new relationship before introducing the children.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Jesse also broke a golden rule at their daughter's school last month. Aryn says Jesse brought cupcakes to celebrate 4-year-old Sadie's birthday -- a big no-no because the school picks one day each month to celebrate all students' bdays together.

She claims Jesse also screwed her with Sadie. In the docs, Aryn says Sadie tearfully said "she was mad at me for not attending her birthday party" at school.

She says there are other issues ... mostly caused by Jesse's erratic schedule, and lack of notice before he picks up the kids. Aryn's asking the judge to set a more rigid and consistent schedule for his visits.

A source close to the former couple claims Aryn is making up lies because she's obsessed with being seen as a victim, and she can't do that if people see Jesse as the fun, caring, good person he is.

Ewan McGregor has filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years.

Ewan cites irreconcilable differences as the reason he wants to end his marriage to Eve Mavrakis.

McGregor, repped by attorney Fahi Takesh Hallin, wants joint custody of the couple's 3 minor children. Eve, whose lawyer -- disso queen Laura Wasser -- filed her answer at the same time, is asking for sole physical custody with visitation going to Ewan.

McGregor says in the docs he's willing to pay spousal support. As for property ... our sources say there is no prenup so the assets should be evenly divided.

The date of separation is listed as May 28th of last year.

News of Ewan and Eve's split hit in October ... with reports saying the two had separated as early as May. The announcement came shortly after pics surfaced of Ewan kissing his "Fargo" co-star, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, at a London cafe.

Tennis superstar Victoria Azarenka is one step closer to resuming her pro career -- after getting a huge win in her custody case that should clear the path for her to travel with her baby again.

As we previously reported, Azarenka -- who's a citizen of Belarus -- went to war with her baby daddy Billy McKeague in 2017 after he filed paternity papers in L.A., where Azarenka trains.

The filing resulted in the judge forbidding either parent to take the child out of California until an agreement was reached.

The problem ... Azarenka (the former #1 ranked player) competes all over the world -- but she refused to leave her 1-year-old child behind. As a result, she pulled out of the US Open, the Australian Open and the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Azarenka argued the case belongs in Belarus -- where she was previously awarded primary custody by a Belarusian court.

Now, TMZ Sports has learned the California judge has ruled in Azarenka's favor -- agreeing the case doesn't belong in CA or anywhere in the U.S.

But she's not out of the woods yet ... McKeague has 3 weeks to appeal the ruling. We're told Azarenka's camp is confident they will win that battle as well, based on the judge's strongly-worded 65-page opinion.

David Otunga will not be charged for an alleged domestic violence incident with Jennifer Hudson ... TMZ has learned.

Police had been investigating Otunga for domestic battery after a November incident where Jennifer claimed David got angry at her, grabbed their son by the hand and shoved her out of their bedroom. She filed a report with cops in Burr Ridge, IL.

We're told police have now completed their investigation and will not charge David. Case closed.

You'll recall, Jennifer had gotten a temporary restraining order after the alleged incident, which sparked their custody battle over David Jr.

"Deadpool" star Morena Baccarin became single at a price.

We got the property settlement agreement between Baccarin and ex-hubby Austin Chick, and there were a lot of spoils to divide. For starters, Austin gets their home in New York City, while Morena gets their homes in Brazil and Los Angeles.

The documents say Morena makes more than $90k a month, and Austin pulls in $1,375 a month.

And ... she gets the 2001 Lexus!!!

Morena, who also starred in "Homeland," gets lots of residuals, and they're fair game for Austin. They agreed that some of the residuals, including the ones for "Deadpool" and Season 1 of "Gotham," will be split.

When all the dust settles, to make things square Morena agreed to cut a check to Austin for $406k.

As for custody -- which was the major bone of contention -- TMZ broke the story 4-year-old Julius can live with Morena in NYC. Austin was trying to block the move, but in the end he's agreed to move to the Big Apple. She's paying $3,500 a month in child support and he gets $5k in spousal support for a year.

The agreement provides that neither will trash the other in front of their kid.

Nas and Kelis have found common ground in their custody dispute over their 8-year-old son.

According to court docs, the exes hammered out specific dates where Nas will have custody of Knight for weekends. Dad gets four full weekends over January, February and March. Nas' weekend visits will begin immediately after school on Fridays ... thru Sunday night, or Monday night, if it's a 3-day weekend.

As we reported, Nas was complaining that Kelis was making it difficult for him to spend extended time with their son.

The new agreement also requires both parents to use their "best efforts to not popularize [Knight] in social media."

Morena Baccarin won a big victory in her custody war ... she's settled up with her ex-husband after a nasty fight, and he's agreed to move to New York rather than fight to keep their child in L.A.

Director Austin Chick filed for divorce in 2015, this after Morena began dating actor Ben McKenzie. She became pregnant around the same time divorce docs were filed.

The couple divorced, but were not able to resolve their custody and property issues. Austin wanted to stay in L.A. with their 4-year-old son but she wanted to live in New York for professional reasons. She had been filming "Gotham" which was shot in NYC.

According to the new settlement, Morena can stay in New York with their son and Austin will move there. They will share custody.

We've learned Morena agreed to pay 1 more year of support to Austin at a rate of $5,000 a month. She'll also pay him $3,500 a month in child support.