Murilo Huff Granted Provisional Custody of Son Léo Amid Negligence Claims and R$500 Million Inheritance Dispute With Marília Mendonça’s Mother

Murilo Huff, singer and father of Léo, the five-year-old son he had with the late sertaneja singer Marília Mendonça (1995-2021), has filed a legal petition seeking unilateral custody of the child. Until recently, Léo was primarily cared for by Dona Ruth Moreira, Marília Mendonça's mother and Léo's grandmother. Huff stated that his custody request aims to fulfill his paternal role more closely and is not intended to alienate the child from Marília's family. The dispute has escalated into a public and legal battle involving accusations and defenses from both sides.

Dona Ruth has accused Huff of not paying child support, a claim Huff denied by detailing expenses exceeding R$15,000 related to Léo's education, health care, recreational activities, and diabetes treatment. Huff also alleged that Dona Ruth engaged in neglect and parental alienation, including instructing caregivers to hide medical information from him, which was cited in the court's decision. The legal proceedings revealed concerns about the management of Léo's inheritance, estimated at around R$500 million, which is a central issue in the custody conflict. The court granted Murilo Huff provisional unilateral custody after a two-hour hearing where no amicable agreement was reached. Léo has since moved to live with Huff. Dona Ruth has contested the decision by filing an appeal and continues to express emotional distress over the situation, describing the custody battle as "cruel" for the child and family. The dispute has drawn public attention, with family members including Marília's brother João Gustavo publicly defending Dona Ruth and appealing for privacy amid online attacks. Legal representatives for both parties have issued statements, with Dona Ruth's lawyer criticizing the court's decision as disregarding familial bonds and care, while Huff's legal team emphasizes the "alarming situations" that motivated the custody request. The case remains ongoing, with further judicial review expected as both sides prepare to present additional evidence.