The actress’ petition to legally adopt her maiden name was approved by a Los Angeles court commissioner. The move by Denise further established her new found freedom from ex-husband Charlie Sheen.

She never used the actor’s last name for professional or otherwise public purposes. But I guess the actress wants to erase every detail of her former marriage to Charlie. The paperwork filed and signed by the L.A. court commissioner allows her to officially drop “Sheen” from her name.

An ongoing custody battle between the two was only recently finalized. The two were reportedly happy with the arrangement. The actress said that the agreement was “in the best interests of our children.”

This is always good in custody battles. The arrangement must always be for the good of the children to ensure that their interest will still be taken care of despite the split between their parents.

Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen finally reached an agreement in their hard-fought custody battle for their two daughters. The undisclosed deal supposedly had both actors smiling, indicating both parties are happy with the agreement.

“It is true that an agreement has been reached between the parties regarding their children. Denise is happy with the agreement and believes that it is in the best interests of their children. Although the parties have agreed that neither one will discuss the specific terms of the agreement, Denise is satisfied that the agreement has dealt with all of her concerns.” This is the statement issued by Jill Fritzo, Richards’ representative, to E! News.

Sheen’s attorney could not immediately be reached, but a source said that the case has been settled in his favour. People close to the actor are saying that Charlie is pleased with the results. Denise was looking to cut into Sheen’s time with their daughters as much as possible. She wanted to stop all overnight visits at the actor’s home and objected to his motion for permission to hire his own childcare providers.

Four months after settlement rumors, which Charlie called “absurd”, the actor has finally something to smile about. He called the previous rumors by a tabloid “derisive fiction.”

The ex-couple continued to have disagreements, most recently about Denise’s decision to let their two daughters participate in the actress’ upcoming reality show for E!. But a judge gave Richards the go signal. Unspecified ground rules were laid out with regard to filming minor children.

Denise filed for divorce on March 2005, after citing infidelity and other marital problems against Sheen. The couple announced their reconciliation later that year but by January of 2006, the Wild Thing star moved ahead with her decision to divorce the actor. The divorce was signed off on November of the same year.

At least, in this latest development between the two, both are satisfied as reported. Because the future of their children is at stake here, it is best if both parties are pleased with the agreement. This is for the kids, not about the former couple.