Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor Reach Custody Settlement for Son Cruz
Court documents obtained by The Daily Mail confirm that the protracted custody dispute between former reality television stars Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor has been formally resolved. The ex-couple, whose relationship famously unravelled on camera, have been granted joint physical and legal custody of their four-year-old son, Cruz, their only child together. Notably, the legal settlement stipulates that neither parent will receive or pay any child support.
Substance Use and Sobriety Conditions
The legal agreement includes a significant clause concerning parental conduct. It explicitly prohibits either Cartwright or Taylor from being under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other substance that would substantially impair their ability to care for Cruz during his time in their custody. This condition arrives in the context of Taylor's public journey to sobriety, which he cited as a reason for stepping back from filming The Valley. Cartwright's own drinking habits were previously criticised by Taylor during the show's first season.
Structured Co-Parenting Rules and Schedules
The detailed court order lays out a comprehensive framework for the former partners to manage their shared parenting responsibilities. A key provision mandates that any new romantic partner must be in a relationship with either parent for a minimum of six months before being introduced to Cruz. Furthermore, the other parent must be notified in writing at least seven days prior to any such introduction.
The agreement strictly forbids either party from making disparaging remarks about the other in front of their son. All communication regarding Cruz must occur directly between the parents or through a mutually agreed-upon third party, never using the child as an intermediary.
The custody schedule is meticulously outlined for special occasions:
- Birthdays: Both parents are to make a concerted effort to celebrate Cruz's birthday together. If they choose separate celebrations, the non-custodial parent is entitled to a three-hour visit on his actual birthday.
- Parental Birthdays: Each parent will have custody of Cruz from 8 am to 8 pm on their respective birthdays.
- Mother's and Father's Day: Cartwright will have Cruz on Mother's Day, and Taylor on Father's Day, each from 8 am to 8 pm.
Exchange Protocols and Marital Breakdown
The documents specify that custody exchanges are to be conducted curbside at Cartwright's residence. Taylor is responsible for collecting Cruz from preschool or occupational therapy on his designated custody days. Critically, all exchanges must be conducted peacefully, without argument, sarcasm, or derogatory comments.
This legal resolution follows Cartwright's filing for divorce in April 2024, nearly five years after their televised wedding on Vanderpump Rules. The couple's marital struggles were later documented on the spin-off series, The Valley. In a confessional, Cartwright described a deteriorating home environment, citing Taylor's behaviour and her own realisation about what she deserved from a relationship, a perspective she said was sharpened by motherhood.
Cartwright has publicly cited infidelity, disrespect, and a sexless marriage as contributing factors to the split, expressing a desire to create a positive future for her son. Meanwhile, sources close to Taylor report he has maintained sobriety for over fifteen months, having abstained from substances including cocaine, alcohol, and, for the past six months, marijuana.
