Tennessee child support tussles are almost as common as divorces in the United States, including the state of Tennessee. In a recent high profile child support case, actress Halle Berry is seeking a reduction in the payments she makes towards child support to her ex-boyfriend. The Oscar-winning actress pays child support for her six year old daughter to her ex Gabriel Aubry, who is a French-Canadian model. Berry and Aubry share the custody of their child.
According to reports, Berry has sought a modification in the monthly $16,000 child support amount she pays for her daughter. In the petition, the actress has asked the judge overseeing her custody deal to reduce the monthly payments by $13,000 which would only leave Aubry with $3,000 per month to take care of their daughter. In the petition, Berry has claimed that Aubry refuses to find a job. The actress’s representative hinted that Aubry is apparently living off Berry’s income.
The move by Berry to reduce her child support payments so drastically has attracted heavy media coverage and criticism. The manner in which Berry has accused Aubry has infuriated a large part of the community. Many are questioning why it is more accepted in society for women to receive fat paychecks towards child support from their rich ex husbands. Critics have expressed their discontent over this stereotypical attitude towards gender and how it is frowned upon when a man like Aubry, who shares half of the child’s custody, receives a big child support payment.
Halle Berry’s bid to reduce the $16,000 child support to only $3,000 has raised gender equality questions. It is said that Aubry, by not being employed or earning adequately, has accidentally become a pioneer for gender equality. Many are wondering why Berry being a rich parent, is seeking to reduce child support payments without considering the best interests of the child.
Source: Time, “Halle Berry’s Child-Support Fight: Female Breadwinners Can’t Have It Both Ways,” Cathy Young, Oct. 20, 2014
