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Rumer Willis received a big win in her and ex Derek Richard Thomas’ ongoing custody battle of their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta.
A judge awarded Willis, 37, primary physical custody of Louetta “Lou” on Tuesday, June 9, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. (TMZ was first to report the news.)
The ruling also stated that Willis and Thomas were awarded joint legal custody of the toddler after agreeing to undergo a custody evaluation.
The judge also put into place a visitation schedule for Thomas where he will receive parenting time every other weekend beginning on June 20 in Los Angeles followed by a second weekend in Idaho, alternating from there forward.
Thomas’ visits will initially be monitored by one of Willis’ nannies, per the ruling. The child’s father will transition to overnight visitation with “no monitor” on August 22 from Saturday at 10 a.m. to Sunday at 6 p.m.
Additionally, the judge ordered Willis and Thomas to attend coparenting counseling and communicate through a coparenting app.
Us Weekly has reached out to reps for Willis and Thomas for comment.
Willis and Thomas welcomed daughter Lou in April 2023. One year later, the couple called it quits after dating two years.
In July 2025, Thomas initiated legal action to establish a parental relationship and the battle for custody of his and Willis’ daughter quickly turned sour.
Rumer Willis and Derek Richard Thomas. Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for ESPRIT
Us confirmed that Thomas requested joint legal and physical custody of Lou and child visitation after Willis moved their daughter to Idaho in 2024, which he claimed he thought was temporary.
While Willis attempted to get the case turned over to an Idaho court, claiming it was Lou’s home state, her petition was dismissed in January. At the time, the court ruled that California was the proper venue.
Willis claimed in her August 2025 petition that she offered to pay Thomas to visit their daughter in Idaho “many times” but he allegedly refused.
“Anytime he sees Louetta it is because I facilitate travel to California. I also facilitate regular FaceTime between Loretta and her dad for at least 30 minutes,” she alleged in the docs obtained by Us.
Rumer Willis’ ex Derek Richard Thomas has accused her of exploiting their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Thomas denied allegations of abuse made by Willis in a recent declaration in opposition of his child custody order. He went on to claim that Willis, 37, exploited Louetta when their daughter appeared […]
In a separate set of court docs, Willis claimed that her relationship with Thomas ended because of his “incessant domestic violence in the form of coercive control and his nonstop argumentative behavior in front of their daughter.”
She alleged, “He could not control himself even when his one-year-old child was crying and clearly traumatized by his behavior. The emotional abuse in front of their child and [his] drug use are the primary reasons [Rumer] does not want [him] to have overnights or time with Louetta without a 730 child custody evaluation.”
Thomas responded to the allegations in January, claiming in his own filing, “I have committed no acts of domestic violence in any form, including any active ‘coercive control.’ [Our] relationship was unhealthy and appropriately came to an end, but it was not at all characterized by any violence, physical or emotional attacks or intimidation on my part.”
Thomas’ lawyer Michael J. Kretzmer told Us in a statement last month, “First, Miss Willis’ recitation of facts and circumstances is, to put it kindly, substantially inaccurate and replete with false allegations. This matter will be heard by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Mr. Thomas is not going to try this case in the press.”
Denise Richards has scored another victory in her legal battle with ex Aaron Phypers amid their ongoing divorce. Richards, 55, and attorney Mark Gross appeared in Los Angeles County court for a Monday, April 27, hearing, where they discussed her request to have sensitive documents related to her finances sealed, according to court documents obtained […]
The statement continued, “Facts and circumstances are not in the least as described by Miss Willis. Derek Thomas is an excellent father who wants nothing more than to be a fully responsible, committed, caring and devoted father to their child. We are confident that in court we’ll see clearly what has occurred in the course of the relationship between Miss Willis and Mr. Thomas.”
Earlier this month, Us confirmed that Thomas filed docs alleging that Willis exploited Lou when their daughter appeared in a commercial against his wishes.
“Respondent’s coordinated media strategy and its harm to Louetta are a serious concern,” Thomas’ declaration read. “On February 22, 2026, I sent Respondent a written objection to Louetta’s appearance in paid commercial advertising, noting a specific ad which contained adult sexual humor that was not appropriate context for a two-year-old.”
He claimed that Willis did not respond to his message of objection and didn’t text him again until two days later. (Us previously reached out to Willis’ rep for comment.)
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
