After a divorce, parents in Tennessee and nationwide are still required to support their children. While many parents keep up with court ordered payments, many don’t. Even some celebrities are often nefarious for owing grandiose sums of money to their exes. Former basketball star Dennis Rodman, for instance, is nearing the $1 million mark in unpaid child support to his ex-wife.
When it comes to determining child support payments, the needs of the children is just one of the factors the court considers. The amount of money paid to the other parent is also determined by a number of things including the income of the parents, the amount of children, and other factors. Dennis Rodman earned in excess of $27 million during his NBA career plus more in endorsements. There was no report of his ex-wife’s earnings.
His attorney recently claimed that he was no longer able to pay his ex-wife because he is too broke. Rodman currently owes more than $800,000 in unpaid spousal and child support to his ex-wife. How did it get that high? When it comes to celebrity and other high-asset divorces, significant sums of money may be involved, in part because the standard of living to which the children and ex-spouse are accustomed will require such payments in order to be maintained. This can help keep children from having to move to a new home or even a new town, changing schools and enduring other potentially difficult transitions.
There are many factors a Tennessee court will consider when it comes to a child support ruling. Divorcing parents may wish to consider consulting with a legal professional regarding their rights and options when dealing with the issue of child support.
Source: Investorplace.com, “Dennis Rodman Too Broke to Pay Child Support,” Nate Wooley, March. 4, 2013
