Michael And Willow Learn Who Won Custody On General Hospital!

It’s been a rough few days at Michael (Rory Gibson) and Willow’s (Katelyn MacMullen) divorce hearing on General Hospital, but after Willow took the stand for her testimony, the hearing concluded, and on the June 12 episode of GH, Judge Heran delivered her verdict, changing Michael and Willow’s lives forever!

Stand and Deliver

After receiving a notification from the judge’s chambers that the verdict was in, Michael, Carly, and Jason arrived at the courthouse. They were met in the hallway by an impatient Diane, who admonished them for taking so long to get there.

Michael explained that he’d been at the park with the kids and had to bring them home first. Carly wondered if they should be worried that the judge made a decision so quickly.

Diane hedged that she wasn’t sure what it meant, but when pushed by Jason for her gut instinct on the verdict, Diane looked Michael in the eye and gave it to him straight:

“All right, I’m not passing judgement here, but the woman with whom you cheated on your wife gave birth to your baby during your custody hearing. That’s not a good look.”

Meanwhile, inside the courtroom, an upbeat Drew declared to Willow, Nina, and Ric that the judge’s quick decision had to be a positive sign that full custody of the kids would be awarded to Willow.

Ric, however, pointed out that a ruling of shared custody could be an option, and Willow remarked that that would be less than ideal since things were already so uncomfortable between her and Michael, as when she saw him at the park with the kids.

Ric was concerned about their run-in, but Willow explained that they’d barely had a chance to talk before they were called back to the courthouse. Just then, Michael entered the room with his supporters. His thoughts turned to his scheme to flee the country with the kids if the judge ruled in Willow’s favor.

Placing his hand on Jason’s shoulder, Michael asked, “Is the jet ready in case things don’t go my way?” Without missing a beat, Jason promised, “You and the kids will be in the air before anybody even realizes you’re gone.”

Judge Heran granted the divorce between Michael and Willow. Everyone in the courtroom was on edge as the judge declared the marriage dissolved and ruled on the distribution of their communal property (Willow got to keep the Range Rover and the art collection, plus clothing and jewelry).

Finally, Judge Heran got to the “matter of utmost importance” in the divorce proceedings: determining custody of Wiley Alan and Amelia Grace. Noting that there were many factors to consider when determining custody for young children, the judge stated that it ultimately came down to which parent is better suited to provide a safe and secure environment and put the children’s welfare and best interests above all else.

As Heran ticked off Willow’s transgressions, Ric looked irritated and Willow looked alarmed. Finally, Judge Heran declared, “Mrs. Corinthos has demonstrated a consistent pattern of negligence regarding her children’s emotional well-being, often violating the law in the process.

” She added that Michael, having fully recovered from his injuries, was perfectly capable of caring for Wiley and Amelia, along with the support of his family. “Consequently, it is the decision of this court to award full physical and legal custody to the children’s father, Michael Corinthos,” ruled Judge Heran.

Willow Breaks Down!

Befuddled, Willow turned to Ric. “I don’t understand,” she stammered to her attorney. “What’s happening?” “You lost, Willow,” the legal eagle gently explained. Refusing to accept the decision, an emotional Willow stood up and begged the judge to change her mind.

“You can’t give my kids to Michael,” she wailed. “They’re my children! They belong with me.” Despite Ric’s best efforts to get her to calm down, Willow grew more agitated, especially after Judge Heran determined that a visitation schedule would be negotiated after Wiley and Amelia were evaluated by a psychiatrist.

Then Willow truly lost it. “Ric, do something!” the devastated mother protested, shaking Ric by the shoulders as her voice grew higher with each cry. “Fight this! This is a huge mistake!” Judge Heran advised Ric to get his client under control, but Willow was inconsolable.

“Michael cheated on me with Sasha!” she screamed, practically hyperventilating. “He had a baby with her! All I’ve done is love my children and try to do what’s best for them!” With a finger pointed at the woman behind the bench, Willow hollered, “This is not right!” Unmoved, Judge Heran banged her gavel, adjourned the hearing, and ordered the bailiff to clear the courtroom.

Refusing to accept defeat, Willow scurried over to Michael’s table. As Carly, Jason, Diane, Nina, Drew, and Ric looked on in disbelief, Willow tearfully begged her ex to reconsider. “They need me! I’m their mother. Please, Michael!” she cried. Michael turned his back on her and left the courtroom.

Nina tried to get her daughter to calm down, but Willow only became more hysterical. “What is happening?” she sobbed in Nina’s arms. “They can’t take my children from me!” Drew, meanwhile, stared out the door where Michael had exited, a hint of revenge in his eyes.