Introduction
Grimes, the former partner of Elon Musk, has alleged that the Tesla CEO spends less than half his time in Texas, where he moved the company's headquarters in 2021. The claim has emerged as part of the ongoing custody battle between the couple, who are disputing whether Texas or California should have jurisdiction in the case. Musk still reportedly spends two to three days a week in California, according to Grimes' legal filings.
Background
Elon Musk's residency in Texas has become a key point of contention in his custody battle with Grimes. The couple is currently locked in a legal dispute over the custody of their three shared children, Æ A-12 (also known as baby X), Exa (or Y), and Tau. Grimes, whose legal name is Claire Boucher, has filed a lawsuit in California seeking physical custody of the children, while Musk has filed a separate lawsuit in Texas to establish a parent-child relationship.
Grimes Rejects Musk's Claims
In a recent filing obtained by Business Insider, Grimes rejected Musk's assertion that Texas should have jurisdiction over the case. She argued that she and two of their children had been living in California when Musk filed his petition. This is significant because California has no limit on child support payments, potentially exposing Musk to substantial monthly payments as the richest man in the world. Attorneys for both parties have not commented on the matter.
Residence Dispute
Family law attorneys have explained that courts typically grant jurisdiction to the state where the children have been living for the previous six months in order to minimize disruption to their lives. Musk claimed in his lawsuit that the children's primary residence was in Austin, Texas, where they had lived for at least six consecutive months. However, Grimes countered in her response that she and the two youngest children have been residing in California since December 31, 2022.
Musk's Travel Schedule
Grimes made claims about Musk's residential habits in her response, stating that he spent only 126 out of the previous 274 days in Austin, which amounts to approximately 45% of his time. She cited his frequent travel between Texas and California, with his private jets making multiple trips between the two states each week. Musk confirmed his move from California to Texas in December 2020, citing COVID restrictions and the lack of state income tax in Texas as motivating factors.
Musk's Affiliation with Texas
Since his move, Musk has actively embraced his Texas residency, investing in housing projects and expanding his network of companies in the state. He announced plans to create a town called Starbase near SpaceX's launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, and is reportedly building a company town called Snailbrook near Boring Company's facilities in Bastrop, Texas. However, Grimes alleges that Musk still spends a significant amount of time in California, typically two to three days a week.
Legal Implications
The details of Musk's travel schedule alone may not be sufficient to convince a judge to grant California jurisdiction in the custody case. However, if Grimes can prove that the two youngest children have been residing with her in California since December, it could strengthen the argument for California jurisdiction. The situation regarding the oldest child, X, who often accompanies Musk to global events, is more complex and requires further clarification.
Conclusion
The custody battle between Grimes and Elon Musk continues to unfold, with allegations about Musk's residency playing a significant role. The dispute over jurisdiction between Texas and California will ultimately determine which state will preside over the case. As the legal proceedings progress, it remains to be seen how the court will weigh the evidence and make a decision that is in the best interests of the children.
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By: esnodgrass@insider.com (Erin Snodgrass,Kelsey Vlamis,Grace Kay)
Title: Grimes Claims Elon Musk Spends Less Time in Texas, Fuels Custody Battle
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/grimes-elon-musk-custody-battle-texas-california-residence-2023-12
Published Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 17:40:56 +0000
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