Kim Kardashian is reportedly considering changing her custody agreement with ex-husband Kanye West after he released a song featuring their eldest daughter, North West, without her approval. The situation has escalated tensions between the former couple, who have maintained a complicated co-parenting relationship since their split.
According to TMZ, Kardashian, 44, is seriously debating taking West, 47 – who now goes by Ye – to court to request a judge strip him of joint legal custody. Legal experts note that modifications to custody agreements typically require demonstrating a significant change in circumstances that affects the children’s well-being.
The former couple, who married in 2014, settled their divorce in 2022, agreeing to joint physical and legal custody of their four children: North, 11, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and five-year-old Psalm. Their high-profile marriage lasted eight years before their separation, which became one of Hollywood’s most publicized divorces in recent years.
Physical custody is reportedly not an issue, as Kanye rarely sees his children, and Kim still wants them to have a good relationship with their father. Sources close to the family indicate that despite the ongoing conflicts, Kardashian has consistently encouraged the children’s relationship with West.
However, decision-making regarding the children has become a point of contention, TMZ’s report said. Legal custody involves authority over important decisions in children’s lives, including education, healthcare, and in this case, professional appearances and performances.
The former couple’s divorce agreement states they must attend a private hearing with a judge if conflicts arise regarding their children. This dispute resolution mechanism is common in high-profile divorces to minimize public litigation and protect children’s privacy.
Kim requested an emergency hearing with their lawyers, a mediator, and a judge after learning Kanye planned to release a song featuring North and rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Emergency hearings in family court typically require showing immediate harm or danger to warrant expedited legal proceedings.
Although Kanye skipped the meeting, he reportedly agreed not to release the track, titled ‘Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine’. The rapper’s absence from court-ordered proceedings could potentially impact future legal determinations regarding custody matters.
However, the rapper released the song on X the following day, declaring men “make the final decision“. He also shared a text exchange with Kim, in which she opposed their daughter’s involvement with Combs, who is currently facing legal issues. This public disclosure of private communications has further complicated the already tense situation.
“I asked you at the time if I can trademark her name. You said yes. When she’s 18, it goes to her. So stop,” Kim apparently texted Kanye. This message reveals ongoing disputes about their daughter’s name as intellectual property and commercial rights.
“I sent paperwork over so she wouldn’t be in the Diddy song to protect her.” Kardashian’s concerns appear centered on protecting her daughter from association with controversial figures and maintaining appropriate boundaries for a child in the entertainment industry.
Kanye responded by asking Kim to “amend” the legal papers or risk “going to war”. Family law experts note that threatening language in custody disputes can sometimes be considered by courts when evaluating co-parenting capabilities.
He added: “And neither of us will recover from the public fallout. You’re going to have to kill me.” Such emotionally charged statements highlight the intensity of the conflict between the former spouses.
Kanye later posted a lengthy rant on X, accusing the “Kardashian mob” of restricting his parental rights and likening their custody arrangement to “visitation” in “jail”. Public social media statements about family court matters can sometimes impact legal proceedings, particularly in high-profile cases.
“Kim‘s priority is the well-being and safety of her children and to protect them from being around Kanye’s controversial behavior,” an insider told Page Six. Child welfare concerns often become central in custody modifications, with courts primarily focused on what arrangement best serves the children’s interests.
The ongoing custody dispute represents just the latest chapter in the complex post-divorce relationship between the two celebrities, whose separation continues to draw public attention.
