The Associated Press reported on the bitter divorce and child custody battle between Miami Heat superstar Dwayne Wade and estranged wife Siohvaughn Wade. The couple has two children, boys aged 8 and 12, whom Mr. Wade claims he has been kept from visiting ever since the couple's August 2007 separation.
While the drama will play out in a Florida court room, this case highlights the types of factors an Illinois family lawyer would consider when advocating for a client's child custody claim.
It must be noted that people of means often have an unfair advantage in legal disputes. HoopsHype.com notes that Mr. Wade, who was born on the South Side of Chicago in 1982, will earn an estimated $15.8 million salary this season.
Mr. Wade recently asked a court for sole custody of his two boys and according to documents cited by the AP, alleges his soon-to-be-ex cannot "be considered a fit and proper person" to care for their children. He claims Ms. Wade exhibits threatening behavior, had affairs with other men, is an abusive mother, and won't let him visit his children.
He also claims that her religious practices are "completely outside of the status quo."
His petition for sole custody does not mince words:
"[Siohvaughn Wade's behavior] has made it evident that she is unstable, dishonest, unbalanced, unwilling to accept responsibility for her actions, not of good character, and therefore, unfit to be a custodial parent."
Ouch.
In an email to the AP, Ms. Wade alleged that Mr. Wade's custody filings were in retaliation for her filing of an order of protection. She claims that Mr. Wade abandoned his boys, that they were "frightened to be around him", and that he was mentally cruel toward her.
So it's basically a quite hostile he-said, she-said argument that ultimately will decide what is best for these two young children. As with many custody cases, unfortunately, the children may end up losing.
Related Resources:
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Child Custody FAQ (FindLaw)
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Jesse James and Sandra Bullock Face Custodial Rights Challenge (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice Blog)
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Browse Chicago Family Law Attorneys (FindLaw)
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