No matter where one lives, one thing that can unite Texas residents with residents of other states is the love of professional sports. While many of the athletes are held up as examples of what anyone with talent and drive can achieve, the world of professional sports can take a heavy toll on family life. Many of these professionals may find themselves facing exorbitant child support orders when relationships, just like careers, come to an end.
On the court, Kevin Garnett was a basketball superstar who took his former team, the Boston Celtics, to the championship in 2008. At the top of his NBA career, he was one of the highest paid athletes in the game. Now, his career earnings are likely to dwindle quickly after a judge has ordered him to pay his former wife an estimated $100,000 a month in child and spousal support.
The couple have been engaged in a court battle over the amounts that Garnett’s former wife demanded. According to court records, Ms. Garnett requested approximately $46,000 a month in child support with an additional $146,000 in spousal maintenance. She further requested that the former star pay her legal expenses in the amount of $300,000. She maintained that she will retain custody of the children an estimated 95% of the time.
The retired NBA player earned an estimated $343 million from his professional salary over his lifetime without including endorsement payments. However, in light of his retirement, Garnett’s finances may suffer significantly based on the court ruling regarding his support payments. Though it is unlikely that Texas parents would face such a hefty child support order, depending on the circumstances, parents may struggle to meet their support obligations. In the same way, parents who do not receive the ordered amounts may find it difficult to provide for their children’s needs. An experienced attorney can provide invaluable assistance in helping parents meet the needs of their children within their financial means.