To fans of the television talk show The View, co-host Sherri Shepherd is best known for providing comedic relief. More recently, however, the actress and comedian is facing divorce and child custody disputes that are no laughing matter.
The 47-year-old is currently embroiled in two child custody battles, one with her ex-husband over custody of their nine-year-old son and another with her current and soon-to-be ex-husband over the custody of the couple’s unborn child. In both cases, Shepherd faces potentially losing primary physical custody of her children.
Shepherd’s first husband, Jeff Tarpley, recently filed an emergency petition to modify the couple’s current child custody agreement. Upon filing the modification request, Tarpley accused Shepherd of neglecting their nine-year-old special needs son. He cited delays in the boy’s development as proof of neglect and said the boy is often left in the care of “unskilled nannies” who are not able to meet his unique needs.
Shepherd is also facing a divorce and child custody battle with her current husband, Lamar Sally, who recently filed for divorce. It’s reported that the couple has a prenuptial agreement which stipulates that Shepherd retain full custody of the couple’s unborn child which is being carried by a surrogate. Therefore, in order to gain full child custody, Sally would need to prove that the prenuptial agreement is invalid and that Shepherd is an unfit mother.
Whether an individual is going through a divorce or has been divorced for years, dealing with disputes over child custody matters is stressful. Individuals who plan to file for full or joint child custody would be wise to seek the advice and assistance of an attorney. Likewise, an attorney can assist parents who plan to seek a child custody modification.
Source: New York Daily News, “Sherri Shepherd’s first husband Jeffrey Tarpley files for full custody of their son,” Margaret Eby, May 17, 2014
