When a noncustodial parent is unwilling or unable to pay child support, the children are the ones who suffer. The costs of raising a child in Colorado can quickly add up, leaving the custodial parent with ongoing financial needs. The recent outcome of the child support dispute between Dennis Rodman and his ex-wife offers hope for parents fighting for the money they need for their children’s everyday expenses.
Rodman, a former professional basketball player just as famous for his off-the-court antics, was found in contempt of court for failing to pay child support. He was ordered to pay $500,000 in delinquent child support. Rodman’s ex-wife was requesting $850,000, but a recent report indicates that the parents made an out-of-court agreement that would see Rodman pay $500,000. Rodman faces the threat of jail time if he does not pay the new amount.
According to Rodman’s attorney, the former NBA player failed to pay the correct amount of child support because he was not present at the November 2010 hearing that set the additional support amount. He also claims that he was not properly served documents about the support he owed. The couple now waits for a Jan. 24, 2013, trial to settle the custody and visitation arrangements for their children.
Child support disputes put the financial needs of the children at risk. Custodial parents who are struggling due to unpaid child support have many options available to them to help get the support, including government garnishment of the non-custodial parent’s wages or tax refunds. Because of the needs of the children in these cases, custodial parents should pursue all possible avenues for recovering delinquent child support payments.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “Dennis Rodman ordered to pay $500,000 in back child support,” Houston Mitchell, Dec. 7, 2012
