Katie Holmes filed for divorce from her husband
of five years, Tom Cruise only ten days ago (June 28) but the couple
have already reached a divorce settlement and more importantly the terms
of custody of their daughter six year-old Suri avoiding a lengthy and
public court battle.
The Dawson's Creek actress had petitioned for full custody
of her daughter when first initiating the split and despite reports that
Tom would fight for joint or even full custody as well, the couple have
officially decided that Katie will have “primary physical custody” of
Suri according to TMZ. Tom will have “meaningful, significant” contact with his only biological child a surprise to those who believed the 'Top Gun' star was ready to fight his estranged wife for Suri.
Retaining full custody of her daughter has been seen as a victory for the 33 year-old brunette who made it clear from the outset that Suri was her number one priority. According to TMZ the terms of the settlement are “extremely complicated” and do imply that “religion” is an issue when it comes to the couple, as was rumoured with a clause stating how much both parents are allowed to talk about religion to the little girl, including Scientology.
The issue of religion was hinted at in the couple's joint statement released after they had finalised the settlement, insisting they had “respect” for their “respective beliefs” which implies that Katie is no longer following Scientology as she had when married to Tom.
According to TMZ the joint statement said: "We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests."
"We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents."
Both sides have claimed to be pleased with the settlement, Tom's lawyer But Fields telling TMZ: "The Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes case has been settled with a signed agreement. Tom is really pleased we got there, and so am I."
With Katie's lawyer Jonathan Wolfe adding: "This case has been settled and the agreement has been signed.
"We are thrilled for Katie and her family and are excited to watch as she embarks on the next chapter of her life."
A report that Suri must always be in “the presence of Katie's bodyguard and nanny” while around Tom have been denied according as “absolutely, 100% false,” according to TMZ. It was claimed that Katie didn't want Tom's Scientology staff around the six year-old.
The agreement means that a public battle between the Hollywood couple has been avoided. There had been reports that relations between the couple were "very bitter" but they seem to have overcome these for the sake of their daughter.
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