Introduction
Rumer Willis’ custody dispute with former partner Derek Richard Thomas remains unresolved after Willis asked a California court to keep Thomas’ visits with their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta, supervised. Her August 24 emergency filing seeks to delay the transition to overnight, unmonitored visitation, while Thomas disputes her allegations and wants the existing June custody order to remain in effect. The case is set to return to court on September 10, 2026.
Rumer Willis Key Facts at a Glance
| Key fact | Current information |
| Mother | Rumer Willis |
| Father | Derek Richard Thomas |
| Child | Louetta Isley Thomas Willis |
| Child’s birth | April 18, 2023 |
| Current primary physical custody | Rumer Willis |
| Legal custody | Joint legal custody |
| June order | Entered June 9, 2026 |
| Thomas’ parenting time | Every other weekend under the June order |
| Initial visitation | Supervised |
| Planned progression | Unmonitored overnight visitation |
| Emergency filing | August 24, 2026 |
| Thomas’ declaration | August 27, 2026 |
| Next scheduled hearing | September 10, 2026 |
| Other court requirements | Custody evaluation and co-parenting counseling |
What Is Happening in Rumer Willis’ Custody Case?
The latest dispute centers on whether Thomas’ parenting time should move from supervised visits to the unmonitored overnight schedule contemplated by a June 9 custody order.
The case involves competing accounts from both parents. Willis says Thomas has not consistently followed the supervision requirements and has made decisions she considers unsafe for Louetta. Thomas denies those allegations and says Willis has interfered with his court-ordered parenting time.
The Current Custody Arrangement
A June 9, 2026 custody order gave Willis primary physical custody of Louetta while the parents retained joint legal custody. Thomas was granted parenting time every other weekend beginning June 20. The order initially called for monitored visits, followed by a transition to unmonitored overnight visitation in August.
The court also directed both parents to participate in a custody evaluation and co-parenting counseling and to communicate through a designated co-parenting app. These requirements form part of the broader parenting plan while the case continues.
What Rumer Willis Is Asking the Court to Change
Willis is asking the court to continue supervised visitation and prevent overnight visits from moving forward until the court can consider the dispute.
Her August 24 filing argues that the transition to unmonitored overnight parenting time would not currently be in Louetta’s best interests. The request is an attempt to modify or pause the progression contemplated by the June order; it does not itself establish that the court has granted the requested changes.
Why Rumer Willis Requested a Court Order
Willis’ emergency request focuses primarily on her concerns about how the supervised visitation arrangement has operated. Her filing describes disagreements involving supervising nannies and several incidents that she says demonstrate poor judgment by Thomas.
These allegations remain disputed. They should be understood as claims contained in Willis’ court filing rather than findings that have been established by the court.
Her Concerns About Visitation
According to reports based on Willis’ filing, she said Thomas completed five and a half supervised visits after the arrangement began on June 20. She attributed some of the problems to disagreements over supervisors after the nanny originally designated to monitor visits became unavailable because of health reasons.
Willis also described disagreements involving a replacement supervisor, including an allegation that Thomas refused to allow a supervising nanny into a residence where he was staying with Louetta.
Her filing additionally described a July Fourth incident involving a supervising nanny and another alleged incident involving a long walk in extreme heat and a potential crossing of a multi-lane roadway. Those details come from Willis’ allegations and have not been presented as established court findings.
Her Claims About the Existing Custody Arrangement
Willis argues that the circumstances surrounding the supervised visits do not justify moving to overnight, unmonitored parenting time yet.
She has also previously raised allegations involving drug use and emotional abuse during the broader custody proceedings. Thomas has denied those allegations. Because the claims are contested, they should not be treated as proven facts unless supported by a later court finding or other reliable evidence.
Derek Richard Thomas’ Position in the Dispute
Thomas has presented a different account of the custody dispute. In an August 27 declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, he accused Willis of interfering with his parenting time and preventing him from maintaining a relationship with Louetta.
He also asked the court to keep the June 9 custody order in place rather than adopting the changes requested by Willis.
His Response to Rumer Willis’ Claims
Thomas denies Willis’ allegations concerning drug use, unsafe parenting and other behavior that she says raised concerns about Louetta’s safety.
His attorney, Mike Kretzmer, has also strongly disputed the claims in statements reported by PEOPLE and other outlets. Thomas maintains that the allegations are false and that he has not engaged in conduct that placed Louetta at risk.
The appropriate distinction is important: statements made by either side in a custody dispute are allegations or positions presented to the court unless the court has determined otherwise.
His Claims About Parenting Time
Thomas alleges that Willis repeatedly frustrated or interfered with his scheduled visitation. His August 27 declaration described disagreements involving supervisors and a July visit during which he said Willis arrived with police and Louetta was taken from the visit.
Thomas says he did not physically resist because he did not want the disagreement to escalate in front of their daughter. That account is his allegation and is part of the disputed evidence in the case.
Thomas has also disputed the circumstances surrounding Willis’ relocation to Nashville. His attorney has argued that the move created additional complications for the existing custody and visitation arrangements, while Willis has maintained that Thomas agreed to the move.
What the Court Has Decided So Far
The most important confirmed court development came on June 9, 2026, when Willis received primary physical custody while the parents continued to share joint legal custody.
That order established a structured visitation schedule for Thomas rather than eliminating his parenting time. It also included a custody evaluation, co-parenting counseling and a communication arrangement through a co-parenting app.
The Existing Custody and Visitation Order
Under the June arrangement, Thomas’ parenting time was scheduled for every other weekend beginning June 20. His visits were initially monitored, with the order providing for a later transition to overnight visitation without monitoring.
This distinction matters because the latest dispute is not simply about whether Thomas has visitation rights. The central issue is whether the progression from supervised visitation to unmonitored overnight visits should proceed while the parents’ competing claims remain before the court.
What the Latest Filing Could Change
Willis’ emergency request seeks to keep the supervised arrangement in place and delay overnight visits.
Thomas, by contrast, wants the June order maintained, including the transition to the scheduled overnight arrangement. As of September 2, 2026, available reporting indicates that the dispute remains pending rather than resolved by a new final custody decision.
For readers seeking the most direct reporting on the filing, PEOPLE’s report on the emergency custody filing provides details from the court documents and statements from Thomas’ attorney.
Where the Custody Case Stands Now
The latest available information points to an ongoing legal dispute rather than a final resolution.
Willis continues to seek supervised parenting time, while Thomas is asking the court to enforce the existing June arrangement. The next major development is expected at the scheduled September 10 hearing, when the court is set to address issues raised in the recent filings.
What Remains Unresolved
Several issues remain contested, including whether Thomas complied with the supervised visitation requirements, whether Willis improperly interfered with his parenting time, and whether the transition to unmonitored overnight visits should proceed.
The parties also disagree about the circumstances of the Nashville relocation and the allegations concerning Thomas’ conduct. None of those disputed claims should be presented as settled facts without a corresponding court finding.
What Could Happen Next in Court
The September 10 hearing could provide the court with an opportunity to consider the competing requests and determine whether the existing visitation plan should remain in place, be modified, or be addressed through further proceedings.
The custody evaluation and other requirements ordered in June may also remain relevant as the broader case develops. The exact outcome cannot be predicted from the current filings alone.
For an additional account of the current dispute and the scheduled hearing, Entertainment Weekly’s latest custody report summarizes the competing positions and recent court filings.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ;s)
What is the current custody arrangement for Louetta?
Rumer Willis has primary physical custody of Louetta, while she and Derek Richard Thomas share joint legal custody. The June 9, 2026 order also gave Thomas parenting time every other weekend, initially under supervision.
Why is the supervised visitation schedule being disputed?
The dispute centers on whether Thomas’ visits should remain supervised or move to unmonitored overnight parenting time. Willis has raised concerns about visitation compliance and alleged safety issues, while Thomas disputes her claims.
When is the next court hearing in the custody case?
The next scheduled hearing is September 10, 2026. The court is expected to consider issues raised in the recent filings, but the final outcome cannot be predicted from the current documents.
What did Derek Richard Thomas ask the court to do?
Thomas asked the court to keep the June 9 custody order in place. His position supports the planned progression from supervised visits to unmonitored overnight parenting time.
What could happen to the visitation schedule after the hearing?
The court could leave the existing arrangement unchanged, modify the visitation terms, or address the dispute through further proceedings. The outcome will depend on the evidence and the court’s decisions.
Do Rumer Willis and Derek Richard Thomas share legal custody?
Yes. The June 9, 2026 order provides for joint legal custody, while Willis has primary physical custody of Louetta. These are separate concepts: physical custody concerns where a child primarily lives, while legal custody concerns major decisions for the child.
What issues remain unresolved in the custody case?
The parents continue to disagree about visitation compliance, parenting time, safety concerns, and the circumstances surrounding the Nashville relocation. The competing allegations have not been established as facts simply because they appear in court filings.
Conclusion
Rumer Willis currently has primary physical custody of Louetta under the June 9 order, but the parents’ custody and visitation dispute is still active. Willis is seeking to keep Thomas’ visits supervised, while Thomas wants the existing plan to progress to unmonitored overnight visitation.
The competing allegations remain disputed, and the latest available reports do not show a final resolution of the emergency request. The scheduled September 10 hearing is therefore an important next point in the case.
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