Actress Rumer Willis, the daughter of Hollywood stars Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, has been awarded primary physical custody of her three-year-old daughter, Louetta. The ruling comes amid an ongoing custody dispute between Willis and her former partner, Derek Richard Thomas, according to newly filed court documents obtained by People.
While the actress has been awarded primary custody, she will continue to share joint legal custody of her daughter with Derek. Additionally, the court has ordered a custody evaluation to be conducted.
The court established a visitation schedule for Thomas, granting him parenting time with Louetta every other weekend beginning June 20. Initially, these visits will be monitored by one of Willis' nannies, with plans to transition to unmonitored overnight visits in August.
Both parents have been directed to participate in co-parenting counseling and communicate through a designated co-parenting app.
Following the ruling, Thomas' attorney, Mike Kretzmer, welcomed the court's decision. In a statement to People, he said, "Mr. Thomas is very pleased with the interim determination by the court on the custody issues. Judge White was properly focused on the issues at hand and carefully weighed the evidence presented. We are pleased that the Court established a custody and visitation order that provides Mr. Thomas with a solid and meaningful opportunity to restore and grow his relationship with his daughter Louetta."
The attorney added, "We look forward to presenting further evidence that Mr. Thomas is a loving, devoted and committed father to Loretta when the court again hears this case."
Willis and Thomas have been engaged in a custody battle in recent months, after the actress accused her ex of 'emotional abuse' and alleged that Louetta had been left "traumatised." The couple began their relationship in 2022 and announced later that year that they were expecting their first child together. Their daughter, Louetta Isley Thomas Willis, was born on April 18, 2023. The couple parted ways a year later, with Willis publicly confirming their split in August 2024.
