Custody trial over Wade’s 2 sons starts
September 8, 2010
The appointed attorney for Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade’s(notes) two young sons hasrecommended to a Chicago court that the NBA star be awarded custody of thechildren.
Wade and ex-wife Siohvaughn Wade returned to court on Wednesday, this timeto begin the trial that will decide custody of their boys, ages 8 and 3.Attorney Lester Barclay, the boys’ representative, filed a pretrial memooutlining three recommendations he plans to make during trial, with one caveatbeing Siohvaughn Wade should agree to undergo “extensive therapy” as part ofany scenario.
“At trial it is my intention, based on the best interests of my clients,the minor children … to be with” Dwyane Wade, Barclay wrote.
The court does not need to follow Barclay’s advice, though it’s fairlycommon for the suggestions of a child’s representative to at least be weighed insuch cases.
Barclay’s recommendations included residential custody primarily with DwyaneWade; joint custody with at least one of the boys attending school in Florida;or sole custody for the 2006 NBA finals MVP.
The Heat guard signed a new six-year contract worth about $107 million withthe Heat in July, doing so on the same day longtime friends and fellow NBA starsLeBron James(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) joined the Miami roster.
Dwyane Wade was awarded “physical possession” of his sons in June byanother judge in Chicago, who found that an emergency order was merited becauseWade’s time for visitation with his children “has been frustrated on an ongoingbasis as a result of continual interference” by his now ex-wife. Their divorcewas finalized in June, although custody and financial matters remain undecided.
In the June ruling, the court cited three instances, one in March and two inMay, where Dwyane Wade’s visitation schedules were altered by his ex-wife.Siohvaughn Wade has made claims that her sons are abused when in their father’scustody.
Following a break for Rosh Hashanah, the trial will resume Monday withopening statements and other motions. Siohvaughn Wade is expected to be thefirst witness when testimony begins Tuesday.
Dwyane Wade expects the trial will last for at least a full week, whichmeans he may not return to South Florida until just before the Sept. 28 start ofHeat training camp.
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