Terrell Owens sued in Fulton County for child support

On behalf of Edwards & Associates posted in Child Support on Thursday, July 7, 2011

In May, we discussed how the ongoing National Football League lockout could affect athletes' child support and alimony obligations. During the lockout, most players will not be earning the same amount of income they were making at the time their support obligations were calculated. This could harm their ability to pay.

Now, we are receiving reports of just such a situation in Fulton County. Melanie Paige Smith, an ex of NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, submitted court papers on June 20 against Owens, claiming he will not pay all the $5,000 he owes her for monthly child support.

Allegedly, financial advisers for Owens have told Smith earlier that he no longer intends on paying the full sum. Smith's attorney alleged that Owens has "failed and refused to pay the full amount of child support in June 2011." Smith's attorney has also said that Smith doesn't begrudge Owens, but would like to continue receiving the amount the couple had earlier agreed upon.

In addition to the full amount of child support, Smith is also requesting that Owens pay her attorney fees and other expenses incurred in the efforts to enforce the court's May 2007 child support order.

Meanwhile, Owens is on the mend after undergoing knee surgery. However, he is a free agent and won't be able to join a new team as long as the NFL lockout is still in effect.

The NFL lockout has put many players like Terrell Owens in a precarious situation. If they simply stop paying court ordered child support, they can be held in contempt of court, which can have serious consequences. However, there are other options available for people who have suffered an involuntary loss of income. A parent who has experienced an involuntary loss of income can request a downward modification of child support payments from a court.

If you have questions about how your child support payments are affected by the loss of a job or a loss of income, an experienced family law attorney can help you understand your legal options and defend your rights in a court of law.

Source: Associated Press, "Woman says Owens fails to pay some child support," Jeff Martin, 6/29/2011

Support modifications for pro athletes pending

On behalf of Edwards & Associates posted in Alimony on Tuesday, May 17, 2011

National Football League players were locked out in March. National Basketball League players are expected to join them in June. Players for both groups are at the mercy of ongoing contract negotiations between team owners and players' unions. Right now, neither side is budging and sports agents are becoming edgy.

It's estimated that up to 80 percent of all pro-athletes are paying alimony, child support or both. Many players' financial advisors are reminding their clients that no pay equals no way to pay those bills and are recommending that players ask for support modifications.

Despite high salaries, many players are unprepared if the checks suddenly stop coming. Those who do pay support often have thousands to tens of thousands of dollars deducted each month.

Should an NFL player suddenly stop making an average yearly salary of $1.8 million, financial times could quickly become tough for all those dependent on that money.

When the ball teams don't pay the bills, players must pay and that includes health insurance. The NFL trade association says that could run about $2,000 each month for many. When those costs are multiplied by court-ordered health care costs for children or exes and the costs can run double, triple or more.

When a spouse or parent has a child support or alimony obligation, that obligation was initially calculated by looking at his income. When a parent or ex-spouse suffers an involuntary loss of income, those support obligations can quickly become too much to afford. Simply failing to pay child support or alimony can result in a contempt hearing and the possibility of jail time.

When a person suffers an involuntary loss of income, experienced family law attorneys understand the importance of requesting a downward modification from a family law judge. A successful request for a modification can reduce child support and alimony payments and eliminate the possibility of a contempt hearing.

Source: Bloomberg, "NFL Players Poised to Cut Alimony, Making Wives Industry Dispute Victim," Scott Soshnick, 5/9/20114

Atlanta producer sued over child support payments

On behalf of Edwards & Associates posted in Child Support on Thursday, May 12, 2011

A woman living in the Atlanta area is suing Jermaine Dupri alleging the rapper and producer has not paid her court ordered child support. In March, a Fulton County judge found Dupri to be the father of Sarai Jones' now-seven-month-old daughter based on the results of a paternity test.

Dupri was ordered to pay Jones a lump sum of $7,500 plus an additional $2,500 each month for child support. Dupri's lawyer has declined to publicly comment on the lawsuit.

Dupri has had a successful career in hip-hop as a rapper and a producer, producing multiple hits for artists, including Kriss Kross, Mariah Carey and Usher. Forbes.com ranked Dupri as one of the top earners in the industry, earning $12 million in 2006.

However, a local TV station has reported that Dupri may be in a tough financial situation. WSB-TV has reported that Dupri's Atlanta mansion was going through the process of foreclosure before the auction of property was called off. WSB-TV has also reported that Dupri may owe the Georgia Department of Revenue more than $490,000 in back taxes.

When a family court judge calculates a father's child support obligations in Georgia, the judge looks at the income of both parents. In child support cases involving high-income fathers, the amount of child support owed can be quite high. However, many high-income parents see major fluctuations in their income from year-to-year and even month-to-month. A child support obligation can rapidly become unaffordable when a father's income drastically falls.

In situations involving involuntary job loss or an involuntary income, downward modification of child support can be requested from a court. If you have questions about a modifying child support obligations, an experienced family law attorney can help.

Source: WSBTV.com, "Jermaine Dupri Sued Over Child Support Payments," 5/9/2011