Dwyane Wade goes to court against ex-wife's opposition to their 15-year-old ... trends now
Retired NBA star Dwyane Wade has gone back to court to fight his ex-wife's petition to stop their transgender daughter from legally changing her name and gender.
Wade, 40, argued that he had the 'full authority' to 'make decisions on behalf' of Zaya, 15, when he was awarded custody of his two children in 2011 against ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, RadarOnline reports.
Funches-Wade had filed an objection to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in November over Zaya's name change, accusing Wade of exploiting their daughter for financial gain.
In his latest filing, Wade said the allegations were 'unsubstantiated.' He also claimed that his ex failed to prove why the name change wouldn't be in Zaya's best interest.
Wade argued that a name change would ultimately allow Zaya to have an easier time: 'from simple introductions and food orders, to applying for a driver's license and filling out college applications.'
Dwyane Wade (left) has asked the Los Angeles County Superior Court to throw out his ex-wife's petition against their transgender daughter's name change request. Siohvaughn Funches-Wade (right) claimed her ex is pressuring a name change for financial gains
Zaya Wade (above), 15, has said she wants the name change after coming out as transgender. Wade says he has full custody over his kids and therefore doesn't need his ex's input
The latest row between the Wade and his ex-wife began when Wade filed papers last August to allow Zaya to legally change her name from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
In response to the filing, Funches-Wade filed her opposition, saying she wants Zaya to wait until she's 18 before changing her name and alleging that Wade was pushing for the name change for business.
'I have concerns that (Dwyane) may be pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change in order to capitalize on the financial opportunities that he has received from companies,' she said in her legal filing.
She also cited a conversation in April during which she claims Dwyane told her 'that a lot of money had been already made and that additional money will be made in relation to our child's name and gender issue.'
'(Dwyane) told me that he intended to make our child very famous due to the name and gender issue and also informed me that there would be endorsements/contracts associated therewith,' she claims.
Wade has called the petition 'libelous' and 'nonsensical' as he urged the court last month to allow for the name change so his daughter can 'live more comfortably and honestly in all aspects of her life.'
The former Miami Heat star also accused her of cherry picking details from their custody battle, referencing documents she submitting saying that Wade would seek input from her when making major decisions regarding their two children.
One of the documents reportedly said: 'Wade shall discuss with and obtain input from Funches on the major decisions affecting the care, welfare, activities, health, education, and religious upbringing of their two children.'
The documents Funches-Wade submitted, however, never stated that Wade actually needed permission from her to make any decision, as he has full custody of them, RadarOnline reports.
The former couple are due to see each other during a court hearing next week.
Wade has been a vocal supporter of his daughter's gender identity. The two are pictured attending a Disney movie premier in March 2022
Siohvaughn Funches-Wade,wants Zaya to wait until she is 18 before legally changing her name and her gender from male to female
Following Wade's criticisms against her petition, Funches-Wade snapped back, telling DailyMaili.com her children feel the 'excruciating pain' of their parents' divorce and said her ex-husbands comments were 'completely untrue and very hurtful.'
She added the entire situation is
