Taylor Frankie Paul has been given a small win in her custody fight with her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
The reality star, known for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was granted expanded access to her young son, Ever, during a June 1 virtual hearing. Paul and Mortensen, her ex-boyfriend, have been locked in a court battle over their child after two domestic violence investigations involving the former couple.
The district attorney’s office later decided not to charge Paul. Still, Mortensen had been awarded temporary custody of Ever, while Paul was limited to eight hours of supervised visitation per week.
“I’m encouraged, and I think we’re moving in the right direction,” the judge said during the hearing. “From now until the next hearing, I’m going to recommend supervision be lifted.”
Paul can now have Ever on one midweek day and every other weekend. The judge said the weekday visit must remain consistent and cannot be overnight.
“We want that day to be consistent so we are on a set schedule,” the judge said.
In March, the couple’s legal issues briefly paused filming for season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, the Hulu series that turned Paul and her castmates into a breakout reality TV group. The court also extended mutual restraining orders between Paul and Mortensen. They were instructed to continue therapy, stay 100 feet apart, and refrain from making “disparaging comments” about one another.
“The main concern of the court is to prevent further acts of domestic violence,” the judge said, adding that while the court may hope the parents can eventually be in the same place peacefully, “now is not that time.”
Paul and Mortensen are due back in court on July 8.