Levi Johnston Wins 7-Year Custody Battle with Bristol Palin

UPDATED: Bristol Palin addressed the custody arrangement in an Instagram post, explaining, "These babies are my world and I will always be doing what is best for them. Every child deserves two loving parents, so I will continue to encourage that no matter what. I have never, and will never, keep them from having a positive relationship with their fathers. I did not "lose" any custody case - my son has always spent most of his time with me and he will continue to do so, he is happy, healthy, and knows both of his parents love him. Matthew 5:11"

After seven years and $100,000, Levi Johnston will now get to spend more time with son Tripp.

Johnston has won joint custody of Tripp, after a long custody battle with his ex, Bristol Palin.

According to Eonline.com, he announced the news on Facebook, saying, "I'm so happy to have my son in my life, and to put all of this back [and] forth in the courts behind me. "It might have taken me 7 years and cost me around $100,000 in lawyer fees, spread out among 3 different lawyers, as well as a lot of patience, but it was all worth it. I'm happy now to be successfully co-parenting."

Levi owned up to owing back child support. "Although I do owe some back child support, altogether I have paid $50,000 in child support for Tripp, which is $600 a month, since Tripp's birth so at the end of the day I know I have worked hard to meet my obligations as a father.”

He continued, “Despite what some have heard I've always been there for him, and I go to almost every school event that I can and spend all of my free time with my kids. Right now life is really looking up for our family."

Johnston added an inspiring message for dads, "And I want to say that even though fathers in this country don't usually have the upper hand in court, I encourage every father to never give up on fighting to keep their kids in their life. It's always worth it."

Johnston married Sunny Oglesby three years ago. The couple have two children, Breeze, 3, and Indy, 13 months.

Bristol, who welcomed Sailor Grace Palin with her ex, Dakota Johnson, in December, has not commented, but did post on Instagram, "The best security blanket a child can have is parents who respect each other."

She shared a second Instagram post later in the day with the quote, "Always be careful about what you hear about a woman. Rumors either come from a man that can't have her or a woman who can't compete with her."