Jesse Williams Granted Visitation In Heated Custody Battle Against Ex-Wife Aryn Drake-Lee, Pair Ordered To Take Co-Parenting Sessions & To Restrain ‘From Making Derogatory Remarks About’ Each Other

October 5, 2022 by Ariel Whitely in TV with 0 Comments

Jesse Williams & Ex-Wife Aryn Drake-Lee

Jesse Williams Granted Visitation In Heated Custody Battle Against Ex-Wife Aryn Drake-Lee, Pair Ordered To Take Co-Parenting Sessions & To Restrain ‘From Making Derogatory Remarks About’ Each Other

Looks like actor Jesse Williams and his ex-wife have agreed upon visitation for their two children.

According to reports, Jesse Williams was awarded various visitation days with his children in New York City during a court appearance with his ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee on September 30. The court order overrules Aryn Drake-Lee’s previous request to keep their children in Los Angeles.

Jesse Williams

According to court documents, the former “Grey’s Anatomy” star was granted his requested custodial visits with his children while he temporarily moves to N.Y.C. from Los Angeles this fall to reprise his Tony-nominated role in the Broadway revival of “Take Me Out.” A previous court order reportedly granted Jesse Williams custody during his spring run in the play that allowed him four consecutive days a month in N.Y. with his children.

Jesse Williams

Despite Aryn Drake-Lee fighting against Williams’ visitation in N.Y., the court awarded that their two kids can reportedly visit the TV star in N.Y. on specific days in October, November, and December. In addition to that, the court ordered 10 sessions of co-parenting counseling for Williams and Drake-Lee. The order also stated that

“each party is restrained from making derogatory remarks about the other party, either directly or indirectly to the minor children, nor allow any third party to do so.”

In addition to that, the judge ordered that Williams and Drake-Lee are not to

“discuss this case with or in front of the minor children nor allow anyone else to do so” or use their children as “a messenger to deliver messages to the other parent.”

Jesse Williams, Aryn Drake-Lee

The order stated,

“The parties shall not ask excessive questions or interrogate the children about what happened while when in the other parents’ custody.”

“post derogatory remarks about the other party that the minor children can see in social media.”

Following the hearing, Drake-Lee seemingly addressed the matter in an Instagram post about long-distance visitation. She wrote,

“It turns out the court does think it’s good for children to regularly fly on overnight flights to accommodate a parent who won’t do the same for them. Who knew? I knew…Those of us who walk this path know what it is and know what we need to do to protect ourselves and our babes to the best of our ability. Every day we show up and do what’s needed despite the circumstances. I know I journey this road with my head held high and my integrity in tact. Let’s see how long it takes for the usual suspects to leak targeted language and storylines painting a particular party as the victim.”

As previously reported, Williams petitioned a court judge asking to have his previous custody agreement with Drake-Lee amended. While getting ready for his Broadway debut, starring in the play “Take Me Out,” the two reportedly agreed that Williams would have the children four consecutive days in N.Y. until the spring show ended. As he will be returning to the Big Apple in the fall, the entertainer is seeking to have the same arrangement.

Apparently, Drake-Lee didn’t feel the deal worked well for the children in the spring and was against having them go through the ordeal in the fall, leading Williams to get the court involved. Following the actor’s attempts to change their agreed-upon visitation, Drake-Lee fired back via IG, accusing her ex of making unfit parenting choices and not caring about the welfare of their children. She wrote,

“Is it good for the health and wellness of a 7yr and 8yr old to be taken out of school on a regular basis to fly cross country overnight on a red eye to be on the ground for two days? Is it reasonable for them to return dazed and confused and then be expected to pick right up and survive at school the rest of the week? I don’t think so! Neither do any of the parents who actually parent on a routine basis. There’s a name for the condition of an adult who expects their children to indulge, caregive and service that adult’s desires at the childrens’ expense… #receiptsseason #ihavestayedquietforfartoolong”

Reportedly, the Tony Award-winning actor and the real estate agent, both 41, were together for over 10 years and married for five before he filed for divorce in April 2017. The two share daughter Sadie, 8, and son Maceo, 7.