50 Cent works out his son's custody issues

By April MacIntyre Oct 23, 2008, 17:17 GMT

50 Cent is half a dollar, new film and vitamin water, new album where he likes to holler...© SOLARPIX.COM

The rapper 50 Cent and his former girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, have settled their ongoing custody dispute over 11-year-old son Marquise, announcing this morning they worked out a visitation schedule outside of court, thus avoiding further legal costs and an embarrassing high-profile trial.

"I'm happy it's actually done with," Fiddy told reporters outside the Suffolk Family Court of the deal, despite the fact that it grants him less visitation time with the boy than he originally sought.

During this morning's five-minute hearing, lawyers revealed 50 Cent will see his son one weekend per month, one month in the summer and spend half his winter and spring breaks in his father's custody.

"I thank you guys for your cooperation," Suffolk Family Court Judge David Freundlich told the feuding duo in court. "It makes life very, very good for your child."

Thompson earlier had accused the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, of somehow starting a fire that destroyed the Long Island home she and her son were occupying.

"Despite my feelings for Mr. Jackson, that's Marquise's dad," she said. "I want him to have a positive relationship with his dad."

The Suffolk County Arson Squad is still investigating the destruction of the $2.4 million home. They have already questioned 50 Cent, who owned the home and was in the process of evicting his son and his mother, over the suspicous fire.

The rapper filed a $20 million defamation suit against his ex over the public accusation he denies, back in June.