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A judge has made another ruling in regards to Taylor Frankie Paul and ex Dakota Mortensen’s custody battle over 2-year-old son Ever.
“I’m encouraged and I think we’re moving in the right direction,” a judge told Paul, 32, and Mortensen, 33 during a virtual hearing on Monday, June 1. “From now until the next hearing, I’m going to recommend supervision be lifted.”
The judge also said Paul can have her son Ever on alternative weekends and one midweek day that’s not overnight each week. “We want that day to be consistent so we are on a set schedule,” the judge added.
Before the next hearing, scheduled for July 8, the judge asked both Paul and Mortensen to avoid making disparaging comments about the other, continue therapy and stay 100 feet away from each other.
“I certainly think that both of them have a sense that they are the victims and not the perpetrators and I get that,” the judge said. “The main concern of the court is to prevent further acts of domestic violence and we can have the hope that we see the parents being in the same place getting along but now is not that time.”
One day before the hearing, Paul opened up about how difficult coparenting has been for her.
“I think all the projects and redoing is a fresh start but mainly a coping mechanism to distract from the fact my baby hasn’t been here for months now, aside visits,” she wrote via Instagram on Sunday, May 31.
Paul and Mortensen have been in a custody battle since the Salt Lake City police were investigating an alleged domestic violence incident between the exes in March. Mortensen filed for custody of Ever.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Mortensen claimed that he and Paul had an altercation at her house in February 2026 where the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star allegedly choked him and shoved him into a window. He claimed that Paul was “emotionally volatile” and was fearful for their toddler’s safety. Paul has vehemently denied the allegations of child abuse.
“It’s been hard, and it sucks to be in this position,” Paul told Us Weekly. “[As] the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well. … I have always treated my children with respect and I’ve never touched them.”
That same month, a judge granted Mortensen’s request for temporary custody of Ever and temporary protective order against Paul. “No parent time is allowed until the scheduled hearing,” the order read.
Paul and Mortensen appeared in court the following month to discuss visitation. During the April hearing, Paul’s legal team accused Mortensen of assaulting her in his truck during an alleged February incident. Mortensen’s legal team argued that he was trying to protect their son. The judge ultimately sided with Mortensen and granted Paul supervised time with Ever for eight hours per week.
The pair returned to court later that month where the judge issued mutual protective orders, stating that Paul and Mortensen have to stay 100 feet away from each other for three years.
“You guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as coparents,” the judge said in the hearing. “I’m hoping that you’re not people who just thrive on the drama and the conflict. You’ve got to put your child first and shield the child from this conflict.”
It’s unclear if they will return to Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, as a producer said they haven’t completely ruled out the possibility of both Mortensen and Paul returning in the future — even if they have to film separately due to their court orders.
Season 5 filming of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was stopped in March after the duo were involved in another domestic violence incident. While neither faced criminal charges, the scandal led to Paul’s season of The Bachelorette being canceled by ABC just days before its scheduled premiere.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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