The Inside Story On Tom Cruise And Katie Holmes' Custody Battle

Asma Irshad
Katy Holmes and Tom Cruise
Getty | WWD

After five years of marriage, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announced their divorce on June 29, 2012. And it appears that something went down during the divorced couple's custody dispute. Here are the details.

Tom Cruise Is Separated From His Daughter

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and Suri Cruise
Page Six | Spencer Bergen

Their daughter Suri, now 16, was just five years old at the time of the divorce, and Tom has been separated from her since 2013, one year after he and Katie divorced.

Suri Cruise Is Applying To Universities

Suri Cruise
Hola | GrosbyGroup

It was reported on Monday that Suri has begun applying to universities with the assistance of her mother. However, the teen's renowned father, Tom, did not assist her because the actor "has no involvement" in his child's life.

Katie Is The Sole Guardian Of Suri

Suri Cruise with her mom Katie Holmes
Grazia | Getty Images

Katie was granted sole custody of Suri and according to their divorce papers, Tom promised to pay Katie $400,000 every month until Suri reached 18.

Tom Cruise Was Sad

Tom expressed sadness
Flickr | emmalachqar20029

In 2012, Hollywood actor Tom expressed sadness that his wife had filed for divorce. He stated that the former Dawson's Creek actress had instigated the breakup.

Holmes's Lawyer Jonathan Wolfe Talked To People Magazine

Holmes's lawyer Jonathan Wolfe Talked To People Magazine
Huff Post | Huff Post

Holmes's lawyer, Jonathan Wolfe, told People magazine, "This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family. Katie's primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter's best interest."

Tom Started Concentrating On His Kids

Tom Cruise with his 3 kids
Celebrity nine | Celebrity nine

A representative for Cruise said, "Kate has filed for divorce, and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children."

Katie's Demands For Her Husband

Katie Holmes
Allure | Allure

According to TMZ, she requested legal custody, primary residential custody, and a reasonable sum for child support from her husband. Katie also requested a property divide in the divorce paperwork, even though there is a considerable pre-nuptial agreement based on California law.

Katie Didn't Give Cruise A Chance To Hide The News

Katie Didn't Give Cruise A Chance To Hide News
Business Insider | Aly Weisman

According to insiders, she did inform her husband that she was divorcing him, but she didn't give him a chance to stop the word from spreading.

The Reason Katie Filed For Divorce In New York

little suri with her mom
Glamour | Getty Images

It was reported in June 2012 that Katie filed for divorce in New York to improve her chances of getting sole custody of Suri. It is believed that Holmes did it there instead of in California on purpose because New York dislikes granting warring parents shared custody.

Katie Wanted To Remove Suri From The Church Of Scientology

Katie Wanted To Take Suri Out Of The Church of Scientology
Wikipedia | Wikipedia

Despite her husband's love for it, Holmes, who is said to hate the Church of Scientology, could take Suri out of that organization if she had sole custody.

Holmes Didn't Get Any Financial Advantage

Holmes Didn't Get Any Financial Advantage
Flickr | gosip24.com

There is no financial advantage to filing for divorce in New York because Holmes was already known to be independently rich due to her work as an actress.

Katie Started Living In A Separate Apartment

Katie was spotted doing groceries at Whole Foods in Manhattan
Daily Mail | Daily Mail

At the end of June, Katie relocated to an opulent apartment in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. Katie allegedly signed a contract in mid-June for a rumored $12,000-per-month apartment.

Katie Bought Groceries

Katie bought groceries
Daily Mail | Daily Mail

On June 27, the day before she was set to divorce Tom, she was spotted doing groceries at Whole Foods in Manhattan. The actress, accompanied by her daughter Suri, purchased flowers, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, olive oil, and other products.

Kaie Was Ready To Fight

Katie was ready to fight
The New York Times | The New York Times

In July of that year, it was reported that the former Dawson's Creek star was ready to do "whatever it takes" to gain sole custody of her kid when she filed for divorce in New York.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman with kids
Bravo TV | Bravo TV

According to sources, Katie witnessed Tom's second wife, Nicole Kidman, being left out of her children's lives, and she will not allow this to happen to her. "Bella and Connor aren't that close to Nicole, and Katie is determined that she won't be pushed out of Suri's life," claimed an insider close to Katie.

The Divorce Was Finalized

katie and Tom's divorce
Flickr | crunchize

Katie's lawyer revealed on July 9, 2012, that her highly publicized divorce with Tom had been finalized, with Katie being granted sole custody of their daughter, Suri.

Statement By Couple

Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, and Suri Cruise
Closer Weekly | Closer Weekly

The ex-couple came to a settlement outside of court, protecting the actor's beloved Scientology from becoming the subject of the trial. "We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests," the couple said.

Holmes's Lawyer Talked to TMZ

Katie with his lawyer
Pantip | Pantip

Holmes's lawyer Jonathan Wolfe told TMZ, "This case has been settled, and the agreement has been signed. We are thrilled for Katie and her family and are excited to watch as she embarks on the next chapter of her life. We thank Tom's counsel for their professionalism and diligence that helped bring about this speedy resolution."

Suri Will Meet Cruise In The Presence Of Her Nanny And Bodyguards

Suri and Katie
The News International | The News International

Suri would stay with Katie in New York, where they presently reside, and would be joined by her nanny and squad of bodyguards whenever she visited her father, Tom, weekly, according to a different source who spoke to Radar. Nevertheless, a source who talked with TMZ denied this.