Mel Gibson’s child custody dispute is settled

The child custody fight between Mel Gibson and his ex-girlfriend has been one of the most hotly contested custody disputes in recent memory. As you may remember, Gibson began his relationship with Oksana Grigorieva following his split from his wife, and Oksana gave birth to their daughter. Since that time, Gibson and Grigorieva have had a tumultuous breakup, with embarrassing allegations being publicly hurled by both sides. Gibson and Grigorieva have been involved in their child custody dispute ever since, until now.

Last week, news broke that Mel Gibson and his ex-girlfriend had agreed to a settlement in a child custody case involving their daughter. However, the details remained unclear. A spokesperson for the actor declined to comment as to whether this agreement settled the various issues between the two, but thanked the judge for offering assistance in arriving at the agreement. This week, the details became public.

According to the L.A. Times, Gibson and Grigorieva will share joint legal custody of their daughter. Under their agreement, Grigorieva will be able to remain in her current home with her daughter, and Gibson will pay her $750,000 in three installments over the course of the next five years.

The parties reached an interesting agreement regarding privacy issues and the mansion that Gibson has provided for Grigorieva and their daughter. Upon their daughter’s 18th birthday, the house will be sold and the proceeds will be placed in a trust for the daughter, and not Grigorieva. In addition, the agreement prohibits either party from writing a book about their relationship.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, “Mel Gibson to pay mother of his toddler $750,000,” Richard Winton, Aug. 31, 2011

Reuters, “Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva settle child custody,” Aug. 27, 2011