Olivier Martinez wants Halle Berry to cover a huge chunk of his legal bills from their custody war.

Court documents show the actor is asking a judge to order Halle to pay his attorneys $240,000. He says his legal costs have spiraled out of control.

Olivier claims he simply cannot pay them himself. He says his only regular income is residual checks that average $776.34 a month.

Breaking down the bill

Of the total Olivier says $176,522.58 is money he already owes his lawyers.

The other $63,477.42 would go toward future legal work tied to the custody case.

Olivier also filed a declaration of his income and expenses. In it he says he spends an estimated $17,555.99 each month and has $43,206.22 spread across several accounts.

Where the case stands

A temporary restraining order in the case was recently lifted after the latest round of hearings.

Even so the judge left a temporary arrangement in place that gives Olivier primary physical custody of their 13-year-old son Maceo.

Olivier had accused Halle of choking Maceo. Halle has denied that claim.

Maceo later testified behind closed doors. Both of his parents were told to leave the courtroom while he spoke.