Custody battle makes for an awkward Christmas for Madonna and son

Nothing says home for the holidays like a court order. Madonna will be spending Christmas in New York with her 15-year-old son, Rocco Ritchie,after all now that a judge has ordered the boy back to the Big Apple after a lengthy custody dispute involving Madonna’s ex-husband, Guy Ritchie.

Trouble arose because Rocco wanted to stay in London with his father instead of returning to the States with his mom, and the whole thing played out in family court between their lawyers this week, according to the NY Daily News.”He has expressed very clearly that he does not want to return to New York,” alawyer for Rocco and Guy said in court. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Deborah Kaplan wasn’t having it, though, suggesting Rocco actually talk to his mom about the whole thing before they revisit the issue of where he’ll live long-term. Oh, and he’ll get his own lawyer next time. They grow up so fast.

Judge Kaplan totally tipped her hand as being a big Madonna fan in her decision.”I’m granting you all the relief you have requested,” Kaplan told the singer. “I’m directing the child to be returned to New York. If he wants to stay with his father, he must return to his mother.” There’s not a huge amount of logic in that one, but at least it sounds nice and poetic. Could make a good lyric, actually. Anyway, I’m assuming this isn’t the last we’ve heard of this one.

Follow Ned Ehrbar on Twitter: @nedrick