Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson abruptly called off their scheduled custody trial Wednesday, citing efforts to resolve disagreements privately. The trial had been set to begin the next day over disputes involving their shared daughter, Juno, now 5.
Private Negotiations Replace Courtroom Fight
Court filings show Turner-Smith’s attorneys requested removal of the trial from the calendar as the two work to negotiate a custody agreement outside court. The documents state that “any impasses” will be handled by a “privately compensated temporary judge.” According to those filings, “the parties will return … to resolve” unresolved issues.
The former spouses had originally agreed to joint legal and physical custody while their divorce was being finalized. Their divorce was settled in May 2025, but differences remained, particularly around schooling for Juno. In their settlement, Jackson agreed to pay $2,787 in monthly child support.
Jackson filed an emergency motion earlier this year, alleging Turner-Smith enrolled their daughter in a new school without his consent. He claimed in court documents that she believed it was “no big deal to force Juno to start over with a new school.” The motion also expressed concern that Turner-Smith “is attempting to create a scenario where Juno travels with her rather than attending a traditional school.”
Turner-Smith, conversely, invoked a 2024 court order granting her the authority to make the final school selection when necessary — provided she consulted Jackson first. She maintained that Jackson is refusing to honor that order. “He is depriving me of the right to select the school,” she declared in documents.
By canceling the trial, the former couple appear to shift their battle to mediation and private negotiations. Their filings reflect a shared desire for more flexibility. One motion reads: “The parties will return … to resolve” any unresolved custody judgment details.
As part of their settlement, Turner-Smith and Jackson had waived monthly spousal support and agreed to split child-related expenses equally. Until now, they had lived under temporary joint custody orders with equal timeshares.