Olympian Oksana Baiul Relinquishes Custody of Daughter in Divorce Settlement
In a significant development in the divorce settlement between Olympian Oksana Baiul and her ex-husband Carlo Farina, custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Sophia, was awarded to Farina. This decision stems from their prolonged and contentious divorce battle.
Details of the Custody Agreement
The agreement reached on October 6, 2023, outlines key points regarding custody and support. Below are the main components:
- Farina received sole custody of Sophia, who was born in June 2015.
- Farina intends to relocate with Sophia from Louisiana to Las Vegas.
- Baiul is permitted visitation based on mutual agreement with Sophia.
- Baiul has committed to anger management classes and substance abuse testing.
Financial Settlement Overview
The financial aspects of the divorce settlement were also detailed extensively. Key points include:
- Baiul will receive $550,000 from the net proceeds of a home sale, while both parties will share the remainder.
- No child or spousal support payments will be exchanged.
- Baiul retains all SAG-AFTRA earnings, along with a valuable collection of designer goods.
- Farina will pay Baiul a total of $250,000 and will transfer a 2020 Mercedes once she relocates to Nevada.
- They agreed to forgive certain debts and split investment accounts valued at $108,000.
Background of the Case
The tumultuous journey leading to the divorce began with Farina filing for divorce on June 26, 2023. He indicated that the couple had been living apart since November 22, 2022. Farina’s petition described Baiul’s alleged abusive behavior and expressed concerns for Sophia’s well-being.
In response, Baiul denied all allegations and filed for joint custody. She countered that Farina’s actions were psychologically abusive and requested a mental health evaluation for her ex-husband.
Notable Statements and Claims
Baiul has claimed that Farina exhibited controlling tendencies, limiting Sophia’s interactions with peers. Conversely, Farina accused Baiul of substance abuse and inappropriate behaviors, asserting that the well-being of their daughter was at risk.
Ultimately, both parties reached a resolution outside of court, concluding a public and challenging chapter in their lives. Baiul, a Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist, is known for her remarkable skating career and continues to maintain her public profile following the settlement.