Since 2012, rapper M.I.A has been locked in a difficult family law dispute with her former fiance, musician, and music executive Benjamin Bronfman, which is a story music fans in Colorado may be interested in. The former couple had a child together, but neither party can agree how to settle child custody issues. At this time, M.I.A. is trying to get legal permission to take her 4-year-old son to England, where she's originally from.
Most recently, M.I.A. wanted to remove her legal dispute out of the public limelight by requesting a private trial. The judge assigned to the case denied that motion, so the case will be on public record, much like most other family law dispute that goes to court.
The former couple's child custody negotiations became particularly strained when Bronfman obtained a restraining order that prevents M.I.A. from taking their son out of the country. Since then, the two have been at an impasse, which is a situation some families in Littleton may be able to understand. Generally speaking, when parents are unable to settle custody arrangements, the court will make a judgment based on what they believe to be in the child's best interests.
After being dealt a denial by the family court judge, M.I.A. and her attorney are looking to gain custody of her son under the terms of the Hague Convention, which often covers international family law issues. The reason her case is appealing to international law is because she would still like to raise her son in her home country.
As M.I.A.'s case moves forward the court may have to consider international law in conjunction with relevant state laws. The hope is that the case is resolved in a way that allows the musicians' young son to truly thrive.
Source: SFGate, "M.I.A. loses bid to keep child custody dispute private," May 23, 2013
Tags: Child custody
Related Posts: The custody battle from a child's perspective, Modification of child custody in Colorado, How do Colorado courts enforce parenting plans?, CFIs, PREs and allocation of parental responsibilities
