Post by Libby on Feb 1, 2009 0:35:14 GMT
www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1132188/Madonna-wins-battle-Guy-Ritchie-sons-U-S.html
Madonna has won her battle with former husband Guy Ritchie to take their children back to the U.S.
The pair have been in talks over who should retain custody of son Rocco, eight, and their adopted three-year-old David since their divorce in November.
Film director Ritchie was desperate for Rocco to be brought up and educated in Britain.
But lawyers for the 50-year-old singer argued the children should not be split and should remain with their mother.
Under the agreement Madonna has been handed temporary custody although the deal is expected to be made permanent in two weeks' time.
Both boys will be educated in the U.S. but will divide their time between London and New York.
Doting: Guy Ritchie and son Rocco
It is believed Ritchie, 40, will look after them during the summer as Madonna this week announced she is extending her world tour by 16 dates in July and August.
A source said: 'Guy was desperate that Rocco would be able to live with him in England. But things are progressing and almost finalised. Despite everything, things are amicable between him and Madonna at the moment.
'They both want to make things as easy as possible for the sake of their children.'
Negotiations between the pair's solicitors - Fiona Shackleton for Madonna and Helen Ward for Ritchie - have avoided a repeat of Paul McCartney and Heather Mills's bitter, drawn- out court battle.
But according to Ann Ison, of family law firm Hughes Fowler Carruthers, Madonna always held the legal advantage.
She said: 'Applications by mothers to remove children from the jurisdiction are usually successful, particularly where a mother wishes to return home after a divorce.
'It is very difficult for fathers in Guy Ritchie's situation to successfully defend such applications.
Madonna has won her battle with former husband Guy Ritchie to take their children back to the U.S.
The pair have been in talks over who should retain custody of son Rocco, eight, and their adopted three-year-old David since their divorce in November.
Film director Ritchie was desperate for Rocco to be brought up and educated in Britain.
But lawyers for the 50-year-old singer argued the children should not be split and should remain with their mother.
Under the agreement Madonna has been handed temporary custody although the deal is expected to be made permanent in two weeks' time.
Both boys will be educated in the U.S. but will divide their time between London and New York.
Doting: Guy Ritchie and son Rocco
It is believed Ritchie, 40, will look after them during the summer as Madonna this week announced she is extending her world tour by 16 dates in July and August.
A source said: 'Guy was desperate that Rocco would be able to live with him in England. But things are progressing and almost finalised. Despite everything, things are amicable between him and Madonna at the moment.
'They both want to make things as easy as possible for the sake of their children.'
Negotiations between the pair's solicitors - Fiona Shackleton for Madonna and Helen Ward for Ritchie - have avoided a repeat of Paul McCartney and Heather Mills's bitter, drawn- out court battle.
But according to Ann Ison, of family law firm Hughes Fowler Carruthers, Madonna always held the legal advantage.
She said: 'Applications by mothers to remove children from the jurisdiction are usually successful, particularly where a mother wishes to return home after a divorce.
'It is very difficult for fathers in Guy Ritchie's situation to successfully defend such applications.
