Dennis Rodman, former basketball star, has been ordered to make back child support payments in the amount of $500,000 to his ex-wife. He was found in contempt of court for failure to comply with a child support order. Rodman was also sentenced to informal probation in lieu of incarceration but could face jail if he does not pay the child support he owes. The $500,000 figure was reached by agreement between Rodman and his ex-wife, who initially claimed he owed her $850,000 in back child support payments.
Rodman’s attorney claims that the arrearage is the result of a misunderstanding in which Rodman misunderstood the terms of payment of child support, accidentally paying too small an amount. Previous attorneys apparently missed a deadline to have the earlier payment order set aside, resulting in Rodman’s contempt charge.
However, this is not the first time the celebrity has missed child support payments. In May, he was ordered to perform 104 hours of community service for four contempt charges for failure to make child support payments in 2009 and 2010. He actually performed all 104 hours plus an extra 23 hours, prompting the judge to commend him for his devotion to the community.
When celebrities experience problems with child support or other divorce issues, the fact is often front-page news. However, ordinary people often experience some of the same problems with child support enforcement or other issues arising from a divorce or separation. A divorce attorney can assist partners in resolving their issues and working out solutions to problems involving child support, child custody, or division of marital property and assets.
Source: The Fresno Bee, “Dennis Rodman must pay $500K in child support,” Dec. 6, 2012