Sia has been awarded primary physical custody of her young son, following a recent court ruling concerning her ongoing divorce from estranged husband Dan Bernad. The musician, known for hits such as “Chandelier,” shares a two-year-old son named Somersault with Bernad, and the custody arrangement was formalised in documents obtained by PEOPLE.
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In a decision issued by Judge Firdaus Dordi, Sia, aged 50, has been granted full physical custody of her son, while Bernad retains shared legal custody alongside defined visitation rights. The court has stipulated that holidays and other significant dates are specifically laid out within the custody agreement, ensuring that both parents remain involved in their child’s life.
News of this custody arrangement follows a series of developments in the couple’s separation, which has drawn considerable public attention. In April 2025, Sia and Bernad had already come to an agreement over child support, with the singer committing to pay $42,500 monthly to Bernad. These child support payments began on April 1 and are set to continue until Somersault turns 18, or graduates from high school if he remains enrolled full-time past that age.
The court ruling also mandates that Sia cover additional expenses related to their son’s upbringing, including private school tuition, extracurricular activities, and any uninsured healthcare costs. Moreover, she is required to maintain health insurance for him, highlighting the responsibility that rests on her shoulders as the primary provider.
In a statement shared on social media, Sia addressed the emotional toll of the past year, expressing the challenges she faces as a single parent. “I’m a sober working mum trying to buy peace,” she wrote. She underscored the difficulty of managing the financial demands imposed by California’s child support laws while seeking to prioritise her family’s well-being amidst personal struggles.
The singer’s remarks come on the heels of her divorce filing from Bernad in March 2025, just a year after they welcomed their son. The pair were married in 2022, but their differences eventually led to the current legal proceedings. Bernad has recently submitted requests for sole legal and physical custody of their son, alleging that Sia has demonstrated unfit parenting due to her previous substance abuse issues.
Sia, however, responded to these claims by asserting her commitment to recovery, noting that she has been sober for over six months and is actively engaged in a recovery programme. In her court filing, she labelled recovery as “a cornerstone of my life,” while also acknowledging the impact of their differing lifestyles on their relationship.
The judge has refused Bernad’s request for emergency sole custody, stating that a sufficient case for such an urgent measure had not been demonstrated. This decision may offer some respite for Sia during what has been a tumultuous year for her both personally and professionally.
The breakdown of Sia and Bernad’s marriage, underscored by significant public interest, serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding celebrity relationships and the profound effects of parenting arrangements following a separation. As the former couple navigates their ongoing divorce, all eyes will remain on the welfare of Somersault, who remains at the heart of this unfolding story.
Sia’s journey as a mother and artist continues as she balances her familial responsibilities with her professional obligations. Her recent experiences reflect not only the pressures faced by working parents but also the importance of resilience and recovery in the face of adversity.