The Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez romance is over, as the pair have reportedly filed "dueling" petitions for divorce.
Among the major factors which could determine the case is who filed for divorce first, and the French actor's alleged bad temper, reported People.
The 49-year-old actress, who filed her initial petition under the alias "Hal Maria," submitted a second petition that was similar to the first but without using an alias.
Legal experts noted that filing separate petitions could be a strategy of the ex-couple to gain an upper hand over the other if the case goes to court.
"For tactical reasons, some attorneys want to file first because if you're the petitioner and the case proceeds to trial, you get to put on the case first," Robert Brandt, a family law specialist in California, explained to People.
"It gives you that advantage," Brandt added.
The lawyer, however, pointed out that filing a case under an alias is a "gray area," as petitioners usually use their real name in court.
"But as long as she's not using the fake name to commit fraud, she can probably get away with it," Brandt said.
According to a source close to the "X-Men" actress, she may have "other motivations" in filing for divorce.
"She filed first, but she didn't draw attention to it," the source said, adding, "Halle filed under fake names to protect both them and their kids."
The source also disclosed that that the former couple filed for joint custody in their petitions.
"She wants to share custody and she is being so amicable," the source said.
In the meantime, Halle Berry reportedly continues to wear her wedding ring after she announced her split up with Olivier Martinez, according to Mail Online.
The award-winning actress was spotted wearing her wedding band as she recently attended a meeting with her agent in L.A.
The "Unfaithful" star, on the other hand, was allegedly seen last week with his wedding band off as he drove his vintage BMW.
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez have a two-year-old son, Mateo.
