Rumer Willis get a big win for him and ex Derek Richard Thomas‘ ongoing custody battle for their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta.
A judge granted Willis, 37, custody of Louetta “Lou” on Tuesday, June 9, according to court documents obtained Us Weekly. (TMZ he was the first to report the news.)
The ruling also stated that Willis and Thomas were awarded joint custody of the minor child after agreeing to probation.
The judge also made a plan to visit Thomas where he will have time to be a parent every other weekend starting June 20 in Los Angeles followed by the second weekend in Idaho, and from there onward.
Thomas’ first visits will be supervised by one of Willis’ nannies, according to the decision. The father of the child will switch to “unsupervised” overnight visitation on August 22 from Saturday 10 am to Sunday 6 pm.
Additionally, the judge ordered Willis and Thomas to attend reproductive counseling and contact a fertility app.
Us Weekly has reached out to attorneys for Willis and Thomas for comment.
Willis and Thomas welcomed daughter Lou in April 2023. A year later, the couple called it quits after dating for two years.
In July 2025, Thomas began legal action to establish a parental relationship and the battle for custody of his daughter and Willis quickly turned sour.
Rumer Willis and Derek Richard Thomas.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for ESPRITUs confirmed that Thomas requested joint legal and physical custody of Lou and visitation after Willis moved their daughter to Idaho in 2024, which he said he thought was temporary.
When Willis tried to have the case transferred to an Idaho court, claiming it belonged to Lou’s family, his request was denied in January. At that time, the court decided that California was the proper place.
Willis said in her August 2025 filing that she would pay Thomas to visit their daughter in Idaho “many times” but allegedly refused.
“Whenever he sees Louetta it’s because I’m preparing for a trip to California. I also schedule a regular FaceTime between Loretta and her father for at least 30 minutes,” he said in documents obtained by. Us.
Rumer Willis’ ex Derek Richard Thomas has accused her of abusing 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 challenging her child’s order. He went on to say that Willis, 37, abused Louetta when their daughter appeared […]
In a separate set of court documents, Willis said her relationship with Thomas ended because of his “relentless domestic violence in the form of coercive control and his relentless behavior in front of their daughter.”
He went on to say, “He couldn’t control himself even when his one-year-old child was crying and was traumatized by the way he was behaving. [his] Drug use is the main reason [Rumer] he doesn’t want to [him] having one night or time with Louetta without 730 child screenings.”
Thomas responded to the allegations in January, saying in his letter, “I have not committed acts of domestic violence of any kind, including any ‘coercive control.’ [Our] the relationship was unhealthy and ended appropriately, but there was absolutely no violence, physical or emotional assault or intimidation on my part.”
Thomas’ attorney Michael J. Kretzmer he told Us in a statement last month, “First, Ms. Willis’ restatement of the facts and circumstances is, to put it mildly, completely inaccurate and full of false allegations. This matter will be heard by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Mr. Thomas will not discuss 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 on Monday, April 27, where they discussed his request to have sensitive documents related to his finances sealed, according to court documents obtained. […]
The statement continued, “The facts and circumstances are not at all as described by Ms. Willis. Derek Thomas is a wonderful father who wants nothing more than to be a fully responsible, dedicated, caring and devoted father to their child.”
Earlier this month, Us confirmed that Thomas filed documents alleging Willis abused Lou when their daughter appeared in a commercial against her wishes.
“The coordinated media strategy and its harm to Louetta is deeply troubling,” Thomas’ statement read. “On February 22, 2026, I sent Defendant a counter letter objecting to Louetta’s appearance in paid commercials, noting a certain ad contained adult sexual humor that was inappropriate for a two-year-old child.”
She said Willis did not respond to her protest message and did not text her again for two days. (Us previously reached out to Willis’ attorney 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.
