Dwyane Wade & Siohvaughn Funches: A Six-Year Custody War
High school sweethearts turned bitter enemies in a six-year legal war over money, custody, and reputation.
Key Facts
What Happened
Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches were high school sweethearts from the South Side of Chicago who married in 2002, just before Wade's meteoric rise in the NBA. As Wade became one of basketball's biggest stars, winning an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, the marriage deteriorated. Wade filed for divorce in 2007, shortly after the birth of their second son Zaya, beginning what would become one of the most protracted and bitter custody battles in sports history.
The divorce proceedings dragged on for six years, marked by explosive public accusations from both sides. Funches staged a protest outside a Chicago courthouse in 2010, sitting on the sidewalk with a sign reading 'NBA star Dwyane Wade is not providing any financial support for his kids.' Wade's representatives countered that he had been providing over $25,000 monthly in support plus paying for her home mortgage, maintenance, security, four cars, insurance, taxes, and all her attorney fees throughout the process.
In March 2011, Wade was awarded sole custody of their two sons, Zaire and Zaya, a rare outcome for a father in family court. The custody decision came after Funches was arrested in 2012 for misdemeanor attempted child abduction when she failed to return the boys within the prescribed visitation hours. The judge cited concerns about Funches's behavior and the children's wellbeing in granting Wade full parental rights.
The financial settlement was finally reached in July 2013. Funches received $5 million, the couple's marital home in Chicago, and four automobiles. Both parties signed a non-disparagement agreement prohibiting them from publicly degrading each other. The case gained renewed attention in 2022 when their daughter Zaya came out as transgender, leading to a fresh round of public disputes between the parents over parenting decisions and medical care.
Legal Breakdown: Custody Battles and Non-Disparagement Clauses
Father Winning Sole Custody
Wade's custody victory was remarkable because courts statistically favor mothers in custody disputes. His legal team built a case around Funches's erratic behavior, including the attempted child abduction charge and public protests. The case demonstrated that fathers can win full custody when they can document patterns of concerning behavior by the other parent.
Non-Disparagement Agreements
The mutual non-disparagement clause in the settlement prohibited both parties from publicly degrading each other. These clauses are increasingly common in high-profile divorces to protect both parties' reputations and shield children from public parental conflict. Violations can result in financial penalties or modification of custody arrangements.
The Cost of Prolonged Litigation
Six years of divorce litigation consumed millions in legal fees for both parties and caused significant emotional damage to their children. The case illustrates why courts and family law attorneys increasingly push for mediation and settlement over prolonged courtroom battles.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Fathers can win sole custody, but it requires thorough documentation of the other parent's problematic behavior.
- →Non-disparagement clauses protect children from being caught in the crossfire of public parental disputes.
- →Prolonged divorce litigation rarely benefits either party and is especially harmful to children.
- →Financial support during proceedings should be documented meticulously to counter false claims of neglect.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
United States · 2016–present
8+ years of custody battles — and still no final resolution
Custody & ChildrenArnold Schwarzenegger & Maria Shriver
United States · 2011–2021
A secret child with the housekeeper, a Kennedy family dynasty, and a 10-year divorce saga
Custody & ChildrenKim Basinger & Alec Baldwin
United States · 2002
A custody battle so brutal that Baldwin wrote a book about it — and a leaked voicemail shocked the nation
Custody & ChildrenWas this helpful? Help us keep it free.
divorce911.ai is funded entirely by donations. Every dollar keeps the AI assistant and 1,700+ guides free for people in crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.