Australian singer-songwriter Sia and her estranged husband, Daniel Bernad, have reportedly reached a new agreement concerning custody and parenting arrangements for their young son, Somersault Wonder Bernad, also known as “Summi.” The settlement, reported by TMZ on October 19, 2026, marks an important development in a dispute that became increasingly contentious following Sia’s divorce filing in March 2025.
According to TMZ, which cited court documents submitted by Sia’s attorney, Laura Wasser, Sia will remain the primary custodial parent, while Bernad will receive visitation under an agreed schedule. The arrangement also addresses holidays, vacations, coordination between the parents and the process for deciding where their son will attend preschool.
The agreement follows an earlier court decision rejecting Bernad’s request for emergency sole custody and a separate agreement concerning child support. However, the latest report should not be interpreted as confirmation that every outstanding matter in the divorce has been resolved.
What Does the New Custody Settlement Say?
The October 19 report outlines several important elements of the reported agreement.
| Issue | Details reported |
| Primary custodial parent | Sia will remain the primary custodial parent |
| Father’s visitation | Daniel Bernad will have visitation under an agreed schedule |
| Holidays and vacations | The parents have established arrangements for holidays and vacations |
| Parenting coordination | Both parents have agreed to work with a parenting plan coordinator |
| Preschool decisions | They have established a process for deciding where their son will attend preschool |
| Child’s name | Somersault Wonder Bernad, known as Summi |
The agreement is significant because it establishes a framework for parenting responsibilities rather than leaving the parties to continue fighting over individual custody arrangements.
A parenting plan coordinator can help parents navigate disagreements about implementing a parenting plan, depending on the authority granted to that professional. The exact scope of the coordinator’s responsibilities in this case has not been fully detailed in the publicly reported summary.
Similarly, the report does not provide every provision of the new schedule. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that the complete agreement is publicly known.
Who Are Sia and Daniel Bernad?
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, professionally known as Sia, is an Australian singer and songwriter recognised internationally for songs including “Chandelier,” “Cheap Thrills” and “Unstoppable.” She has built a successful career as a recording artist and songwriter while maintaining a relatively private personal life.
Daniel Bernad, also referred to as Dan Bernad in entertainment reporting, is Sia’s estranged husband. Their relationship attracted wider public attention after news of their marriage emerged in 2023.
According to the Los Angeles Times, court documents listed their legal wedding date as December 28, 2022, although their private wedding celebration in Portofino, Italy, became public in May 2023.
Their son, Somersault Wonder Bernad, was born on March 27, 2024. His existence became publicly known when Sia filed for divorce in March 2025.
Sia had also adopted two teenage boys in 2019. The custody dispute covered by the latest report concerns her son with Bernad.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-03-20/sia-divorce-daniel-bernard-child-somersault
How Did the Divorce and Custody Dispute Begin?
March 2025: Sia Files for Divorce
Sia filed for divorce in Los Angeles County in March 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing identified March 18, 2025, as the couple’s date of separation, according to contemporary reporting.
She sought legal and physical custody of their son while indicating that Bernad could have visitation rights.
The filing also brought details of their previously private family life into public view. At the time, their son was approximately one year old.
October 2025: Bernad Seeks Emergency Sole Custody
The dispute escalated in October 2025 when Bernad sought sole legal and physical custody of their son.
According to court documents reported by People and TMZ, Bernad alleged that Sia was an unfit and unreliable parent because of concerns about substance use. He sought a major change to the existing custody arrangements.
Sia disputed his claims. In her court response, she said she had been sober for more than six months and was participating in a recovery programme that included testing and support.
These statements were made in the context of contested court proceedings. Neither party’s allegations should automatically be treated as established facts.
October 29, 2025: Judge Rejects the Emergency Custody Request
A judge rejected Bernad’s request for emergency sole custody. TMZ reported that the court found the necessary urgency for the requested emergency relief had not been demonstrated.
This was an important procedural development because the existing custody arrangement remained in place. However, the rejection of an emergency request did not, by itself, determine every disputed issue or establish that all allegations made during the proceedings were false.
October 31, 2025: Mediation Ordered
The dispute continued after the emergency request was denied. A subsequent report by TMZ said the court ordered the parties to pursue mediation concerning custody and visitation.
Mediation is intended to help parents negotiate workable arrangements without requiring a judge to decide every disagreement. It can address practical issues such as parenting schedules, holidays and decision-making responsibilities.
The latest settlement appears to be the next major step in that process.
The Separate $42,500 Monthly Child-Support Agreement
The custody settlement follows an earlier agreement concerning financial support for their son.
In April 2026, People reported that Sia had agreed to pay Bernad $42,500 per month in child support, with payments beginning on April 1, 2026.
According to the report, the agreement also assigned Sia responsibility for private-school tuition, agreed extracurricular activities, uninsured medical expenses and maintaining health insurance for the child. It included a requirement for a $5 million life insurance policy naming their son as beneficiary, or an equivalent trust arrangement.
The earlier agreement provided for joint legal custody alongside a detailed physical custody schedule. It also set out arrangements for holidays, school breaks and vacations.
These details are important because child support and custody are related but distinct issues. Child support concerns the financial responsibilities of parents, while custody arrangements address parenting time and decision-making.
The October 2026 report describes a further agreement addressing the custody dispute. It does not establish that the earlier financial terms have been cancelled or replaced. Unless court documents confirm a change, the $42,500 monthly child-support arrangement should be treated separately from the latest reported custody settlement.
What About the Allegations Reported During the Case?
The custody dispute received substantial media attention because both sides raised serious concerns.
Bernad’s October 2025 filing reportedly questioned Sia’s fitness to parent, citing alleged substance-use issues. Sia rejected his characterisation of her situation and stated that she was sober and participating in recovery.
The proceedings also involved allegations connected to an investigation concerning material reportedly found on a computer hard drive associated with Bernad. He denied wrongdoing and disputed the claims made against him.
TMZ reported in October 2025 that the investigation had been closed without an arrest or charges. The existence of an investigation, without more, does not establish criminal conduct. Equally, the closure of an investigation without charges is not the same as a judicial finding resolving every allegation.
The latest settlement report does not announce a criminal conviction or establish that either party’s disputed allegations were proven. For that reason, the custody agreement should be understood as a parenting arrangement, not a verdict on the accusations exchanged during the divorce.
What Happens Next?
The reported agreement gives the parents a clearer structure for raising their son while living separately. A defined visitation schedule, holiday arrangements and a process for preschool decisions may help reduce future disagreements.
However, the practical effect will depend on how the parents follow the agreement and whether additional court orders are required. The full settlement terms and any subsequent court approval or orders would be needed to establish the complete legal position.
The agreement also does not necessarily mean the divorce has been formally finalised. Custody, child support, spousal support and the legal dissolution of a marriage can involve separate issues and orders.
Readers should therefore distinguish the reported resolution of the custody dispute from the overall status of the divorce case.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Did Sia and Daniel Bernad settle their custody dispute?
According to TMZ’s October 19, 2026 report, they reached an agreement covering custody and parenting arrangements for their son, Somersault Wonder Bernad.
- Who will remain the primary custodial parent?
Sia will remain the primary custodial parent under the arrangement described by TMZ. Bernad will have visitation under the agreed schedule.
- What is their son’s name?
Their son is named Somersault Wonder Bernad and is affectionately known as Summi. He was born on March 27, 2024.
- How much child support has Sia agreed to pay?
People reported in April 2026 that Sia agreed to pay $42,500 per month in child support. The latest custody report does not state that this amount has changed.
- Did the judge grant Bernad emergency sole custody?
No. TMZ reported in October 2025 that the judge rejected Bernad’s emergency request for sole custody.
- Does the new settlement mean their divorce is final?
Not necessarily. The reported agreement concerns custody and parenting arrangements. The complete status of the divorce must be confirmed through the relevant court records or reliable subsequent reporting.
Conclusion
Sia and Daniel Bernad’s reported custody settlement is a significant development in their ongoing separation. The arrangement leaves Sia as the primary custodial parent, provides Bernad with scheduled visitation and establishes processes for holidays, vacations, parenting coordination and preschool decisions.
The settlement follows a year of public legal disputes, an unsuccessful emergency custody request and a separate agreement on child support. While the new arrangement may provide greater predictability for their son, it should not be confused with a final ruling on the allegations raised during the case or automatic confirmation that every aspect of the divorce has concluded.
