A Napa County judge on Tuesday made a ruling in the ongoing divorce and custody case surrounding Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia.
The judge ruled that the professional dancer, 42, and former WWE wrestler, 40, will share custody of their son Matteo, four, TMZ reported citing court docs, more than a month after Garcia filed for divorce.
The professional dancer in a divorce filing response last month asked for joint custody of his child with the retired professional wrestler, who performed under the name Nikki Bella.
Garcia had petitioned the court for sole custody of their son; asked for the court to appoint a supervisor for Matteo’s visits with the Izhevsk, Russia native; and asked that Chigvintsev be ordered to attend anger management courses; all requests were denied by the court, according to the outlet.
Chigvintsev told the court Tuesday that he doesn’t have anger-related issues, the outlet reported.
A Napa County judge on Tuesday made a ruling in the ongoing divorce and custody case surrounding Artem Chigvintsev, 42, and Nikki Garcia, 40
Both Chigvintsev and Garcia were ordered by the court to enroll in parenting classes to help them remain cordial as they raise their child following their split.
Chigvintsev and Garcia’s trial in their divorce is slated for December and will span two days, according to TMZ.
Garcia earlier in October obtained a restraining order against Chigvintsev (who has also been seen on So You Think You Can Dance and Strictly Come Dancing) after accusing him of physical abuse.
Garcia said in legal docs that Chigvintsev ‘tackled [her] multiple times and pinned [her] to the ground while our child was present,’ the outlet previously reported.
Chigvintsev responded to the court that Garcia ‘grew increasingly angry’ with him on multiple occasions and had played the role of ‘aggressor.’
Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California in connection with domestic violence, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges in the case.
Chigvintsev in September told People that he was ‘incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against [him] have been dropped.
‘This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo.’
The former couple was pictured in December of 2019 in LA
The former tandem was seen during their Dancing with the Stars season in the fall of 2017
Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California in connection with domestic violence, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges
The ballroom dance expert said that he considers fatherhood ‘the greatest blessing’ and is focused on caring for his son moving forward.
‘All along, my main concern has been for him,’ Chigvintsev said. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.’
He said to the publication that he was ‘hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on’ in life.
‘I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time,’ Chigvintsev said. ‘Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was.
‘I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters – continue being the best father I can be.’
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