The custody battle between Bethenny Frankel and her ex-husband Jason Hoppy over their daughter Bryn continues. A Manhattan judge Thursday said he wants the Real Housewives of New York City’s daughter to see a psychologist, but he won’t change the custody agreement she has with her ex-husband — for now, reports Page Six.
The decision came following yet another fiery court appearance for the estranged couple, in which lawyers for the “Real Housewives of New York” star invoked ex Jason Hoppy’s recent stalking charges while his attorneys claimed the Skinnygirl creator didn’t actually care about their 7-year-old’s best interests.
Judge Michael Katz said that while “on the surface it appears the child is doing well,” he wants an undated evaluation from a psychologist to ensure the parents’ venom isn’t warping her youth.
“What is very clear to me is that there is a terrible environment for communication between the parties,” Katz noted.
“This is a case where joint custody is just not viable,” Frankel’s attorney, Allan Mayefsky, told Katz earlier Thursday. “The harassment, the stalking, the 500 emails in 90 days, in which he called her a ‘sad, miserable, bitter old woman,’ and said, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ while asking about life insurance — a veiled threat — there’s no way these parties can be joint custodians.”
Mayefsky added that, during his email crusade, Hoppy had also mocked Frankel’s newfound Jewish faith.
“He wants joint custody because he wants the child support and he wants to be able to continue to see and harass my client,” said the lawyer, as Frankel stared straight ahead clad in a tight, green frock, reports the publication.
Meanwhile, Hoppy’s lawyer, Robert Wallack, argued that in all the court papers there hadn’t been a single mention of the 7-year-old.
“She’s smart, she’s happy, she’s healthy, and she’s doing well in second grade,” boomed Wallack. “The child is thriving under the current custody agreement.”
Hoppy’s attorney also said the duo just needed to “grow up” so their daughter didn’t have to read about herself online.
“You made this agreement, you’re going to have to grow up, you’re going to have to act like adults, and you’re going to have to make it work in the best interest of the child here,” he said of the 2014 deal currently in place.
“Does this mean [Frankel] has to wait until the child is 18 to stop receiving these derogatory emails?” Katz smirked.
“As far as respectful communication, that would certainly be a goal,” Wallack backpedaled. “But I want to note the current parenting plan has been working for five years.”
Frankel and Hoppy will return to court in early spring for an update.
“Bethenny’s claims of verbal abuse and harassment are untrue and are not borne out by the evidence,” Wallack said after the hearing. “The judge today simply acknowledged that the parties have had difficulty communicating with one another. And, while I don’t believe that re-opening this custody case is in Bryn’s best interests, the fact is Jason Hoppy is a great dad, and I fully expect that we will prevail if there’s a custody hearing.”
However, a source reveals that Judge Michael Katz has ordered Frankel and Hoppy to get forensic evaluations done with their daughter.
"Back in 2013 when the divorce and custody initially happened, this same doctor did a forensic custody evaluation at the time," the source tells E! News. "The judge today ordered that same doctor do another forensic custody evaluation to update his first report from 2013. He will meet with Bryn and Jason, and then Bryn with Bethenny – separately but in person – and observe each of them with the child."
The source continues, "They are due back in court on May 10th and the evaluations are to be completed by then, that's why the judge gave them so much time between now and then."
Regarding the order of protection, the source reveals that the case will soon be dismissed, pending Hoppy's compliance with the law.
"April 20th is when Jason's criminal case is formally dismissed and the order of protection expires. It's not a court hearing nor will they even call it in court, it's just when the order of protection Bethenny filed expires," the sources tells E! News.
As previously reported, In October 2017, Hoppy accepted a plea deal in a stalking and harassment case involving Frankel. The 47-year-old was ordered to comply with an order of protection for six months and obey all laws for the case to be dismissed. Nine months prior, Hoppy was charged with aggravated harassment and stalking after he allegedly sent Frankel multiple "unwanted" emails and texts and showed up at their daughter's school to confront her.
Frankel announced her separation from Hoppy back in 2012 after 2 years of marriage, filing for divorce just a few weeks later. The divorce became final in 2016.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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