Bethenny Frankel and her estranged husband Jason Hoppy are embroiled in a bitter custody battle, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be resolving their issues anytime soon.
According to Entertainment Tonight, the former The Real Housewives of New York City star is seeking primary custody of their four-year-old daughter, Bryn. However, Hoppy has no interest in that particular arrangement, because he’s hoping to have joint custody of the child.
On Wednesday, May 28, the two faced off in a New York City courtroom. Frankel reportedly had no reservations about verbally recounting Hoppy’s alleged intent to seek revenge when she filed for divorce back in January of 2013.
“He said, ‘I’m going to destroy you. I’m going to have you and your publicist crying and crumbling in a corner. Now you’re going to see what I was like on the basketball court,'” Frankel testified. “He said, ‘You don’t know what it’s like to have a family, you’ll never have a family. Let’s go, baby.'”
Both sides argued over who would be the better parent. Hoppy’s attorney, Bernard Clair, even went so far as to accuse Frankel of modeling the main character for her new children’s books after their daughter. Frankel was also accused of using the child for notoriety. However, Frankel’s attorney, Allen Mayefsky, presented the same exact argument, and included a few other allegations about Hoppy.
Mayefsky put the couple’s relationship into perspective with his opening statements. He took the opportunity as a chance to highlight Hoppy’s alleged reason for marrying the former talk show host.
“Jason embraced family life in the spotlight,” said Mayefsky. The attorney also explained a number of changes in Hoppy’s priorities since Frankel filed for divorce. Instead of focusing on the best interest of their daughter, “he puts desire for revenge over his family and child.”
Hopefully the two can come to amicable terms for the sake of their daughter.
Image via Bethenny Frankel, Facebook