Artem Chigvintsev Files for Joint Custody of His Son with Nikki Garcia
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Former Dancing with the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev has reportedly filed for joint custody of the son he shares with wife Nikki Garcia. Last week, Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev and requested sole custody of 4-year-old Matteo.
Artem Chigvintsev Files for Joint Custody of Son with Nikki Garcia
Last week, Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev after two years of marriage. The filing came less than two weeks after Chigvintsev was arrested for felony domestic violence and released on a $25,000 bond. Garcia requested sole legal and physical custody of their son Matteo, allowing Chigvintsev visitation.
According to People, Chigvintsev has since filed documents requesting joint legal and physical custody of Matteo and requesting spousal support. He’s also asking Garcia to pay his attorney’s fees. Garcia, in her own filing, asked the court to terminate spousal support for both her and Chigvintsev.
“At this time, Mr. Chigvintsev will not comment on any pending proceeding,” Chigvintsev’s attorney Ilona Antonyan said in a statement. “The parties are focused on co-parenting and working together for the best interests of their son.”
Both Garcia and Chigvintsev have reportedly cited irreconcilable differences as the reason they’re splitting up, with the date of separation listed as August 29 — the date of Chigvintsev’s arrest.
SEE ALSO: NEW DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT ARTEM CHIGVINTSEV’S ARREST FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Couple Met on Dancing with the Stars
Garcia and Chigvintsev met in 2017, when they competed together on Dancing with the Stars. At the time, Garcia was engaged to fellow WWE star John Cena. She and Cena broke up in 2018. The next year, she and Chigvintsev confirmed that they were dating.
In 2020, the couple got engaged and welcomed a son together. They had a wedding in Paris in August 2022, but People reports that Garcia’s recent divorce petition lists the date of their marriage as January 19, 2023.
The lead-up to their wedding was showcased in an E! reality show called Nikki Bella Says I Do, which aired last year. Garcia and her sister Brie previously starred in another E! reality show called Total Bellas.
