Tate Paul seeks restraining order and sole custody of Taylor Frankie Paul's kids

Tate Paul seeks restraining order and sole custody of Taylor Frankie Paul's kids

Tate Paul has filed for a temporary restraining order and sole custody of his children with reality star Taylor Frankie Paul. The filing occurred Tuesday, June 30, in a Utah courthouse as part of the former couple's ongoing divorce proceedings.

According to court records reviewed by Entertainment Weekly and obtained by TMZ, the 34-year-old Tate Paul submitted a motion for the restraining order along with a declaration and five exhibits. These documents remain under seal, leaving the specific catalyst for the request undisclosed. However, sources close to Tate told TMZ he is seeking sole custody of the couple's two children, daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6.

The legal action follows a period of instability for the 32-year-old Taylor Frankie Paul, who recently completed a voluntary stay at a rehab facility. A source told Us Weekly and People that the stay was based on the recommendation of her doctor and that she is now focused on her mental health and being a good mother.

A source close to Taylor told TMZ the new restraining order petition is a direct result of Dakota telling Tate lies about her. That source claimed Taylor believes Dakota will do anything to hurt her, including using the children.

This development adds to a series of volatile legal battles involving Taylor and her other former partner, Dakota Mortensen. The pair, who share a 2-year-old son named Ever, have been embroiled in a bitter custody dispute. In March, production on season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was paused following a Draper City Police Department investigation into allegations of domestic assault stemming from a February incident.

In court documents from March, Mortensen alleged that Taylor choked him and shoved him into a window, claiming she was emotionally volatile and that he feared for their toddler's safety. This led to a temporary protective order and temporary custody of Ever being granted to Mortensen.

Taylor countered by filing her own protective order, alleging Mortensen assaulted her in his truck. Both requests were granted the following month, requiring the two to remain at least 100 feet apart. In April, Commissioner Russell Minas ruled that mutual protective orders be extended for three years, describing the dynamic between Taylor and Mortensen as toxic and dysfunctional.

"I'm finding that there's been violence both ways between these parties."

Russell Minas, Commissioner, via People

Despite these allegations, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against Taylor after reviewing evidence from the Draper and West Jordan police departments.

The fallout has extended to Taylor's professional career. In March, ABC pulled Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette after footage leaked of another domestic violence incident involving the pair in 2023. A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson stated the decision was made in light of the newly released video to focus on supporting the family.

The tension remains high. Just one day before Tate's filing, Taylor posted a now-deleted Instagram story claiming the police had been called on her again by ONE person who is obsessive. Bluffdale Police confirmed that Dakota contacted them with concerns regarding the protective order and the custody exchange of Ever.

Legal representation for Taylor, Eric M. Swinyard, told People that a previous court decision was a significant step forward and that Taylor has been candid about her faults. He stated that Taylor feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors.

While Taylor's supervised visitation with Ever was lifted in June—allowing her alternative weekends and one midweek non-overnight day—the legal battles continue. Taylor and Mortensen are scheduled to return to court on July 8.