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The Grey’s Anatomy alum, Jesse Williams, has reportedly been awarded sole custody of his children’s health, InTouch reported on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The decision came months after the 43-year-old actor and activist requested a change in custody agreement with former wife, Aryn Drake-Lee.
According to The Jasmine BRAND, Williams and his ex-spouse parted ways in 2017 after five years of marriage. The outlet reported that Jesse filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences,” while he had already separated from Aryn for some time. Later, TMZ described that the former couple went through an “amicable split.”
Jesse Williams and Aryn Drake-Lee dated one another for years before their marriage. The Jacob's Ladder actor, who once was a high school history teacher, met his former wife before entering show business. Williams told USA Today in 2010:
“I was a teacher when I met her, so she's been with me through all different facets of my career. She's stuck with me through thick and thick and thick and thin. We know each other in and out, and she was very happy to move out here. She loves California and was tired of the weather on the East Coast.”
Drake-Lee and Williams have two kids together—a daughter, Sadie, and a son, Maceo. According to People Magazine, the ex-couple was granted joint legal custody of their children after they filed for divorce. Almost a year later, the court awarded both joint physical custody, as per the documents obtained by the outlet.
The legal battle continued between the former partners regarding the child and spousal support, among other agreements. Both parties reached a deal in 2020, after which their divorce was finalized.
In 2022, Williams accused Aryn of “repeated violation of court orders,” as per Us Weekly. Drake-Lee also requested a reduction in Williams’ “visitation with the kids.” The outlet further reported that the ex-couple reached a temporary agreement after rejecting Aryn’s request.
Court awards sole custody of children’s health to Jesse Williams, months after he requested a change in the agreement
The legal fight between the Station 19 actor and his ex-spouse reignited in September last year. Jesse Williams had appealed in court to modify the custody agreement with Aryn Drake-Lee. According to Us Weekly, the actor mentioned in his filing that the concurrent agreement only allowed for “a maximum of two overnight stays during the school year.” Jesse said:
“There is no question that spending more time with me is in the children’s best interests. The children benefit from the love and stability I provide them, and they continually ask to spend more time with me. I am actively engaged in Sadie’s and Maceo’s lives.”
Jesse Williams accused his former wife of interfering and obstructing his time with his kids. He further branded his wife’s behavior as a “bizarre obsession” for allegedly keeping him away from Sadie and Maceo’s “extracurricular activities.” He also stated:
“Allowing the children to spend at the very least, equal time with me will not only further strengthen our loving bond, it is one of several ways the court can stop the pattern of rewarding Aryn’s toxic, obstructive behavior. Aryn has made it her mission since I filed for divorce to weaponize access to the children, demonstrating her personal vendetta is more important than the best interests of our children.”
According to InTouch, Jesse Williams inquired about Aryn Drake-Lee’s boyfriend in December last year. The outlet also reported Drake-Lee’s allegations, who accused her former husband and his lawyers of “bullying her over the years.”
Following months of legal struggles and exchange of accusations, the Court announced its decision to award Jesse Williams with sole custody of Sadie and Maceo’s health. The judge also stated:
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“The parties shall have three consecutive weeks for vacation during the summer every year, with each parent choosing a week between their two custodial weeks to comprise the three weeks.”
The court reportedly rejected Williams' request to get more information about Aryn’s boyfriend.
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