In a separation or divorce action in which minor children are involved, there is usually a provision that the parent who is not the primary caregiver provide a portion of his or her income to the other for the care of the child or children.
Child support payments are based on the incomes of both parents, among other factors. If one of the parents is a celebrity with considerable assets, it is likely that that parent will have to provide a significant sum to the other to satisfy his or her child support obligations. For millionaire celebrities, traditional child support guidelines that state courts adhere to do not apply. This means that the child would be entitled to share in or to maintain the lifestyle that the high-earning parent has had, which could be millions of dollars by the time the child turns 18.
Many celebrities have made the news by failing to live up to their obligations. Given their star status and earning potential, these sums can be considerable. Dennis Rodman, the eccentric ex-NBA star, was reported to owe his ex-wife more than $300,000 in unpaid child support for their two children.
Bristol Palin, daughter of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, demanded that Levi Johnston, father of their child, pay $1,750 per month in child support payments. Johnston had taken advantage of his newly found fame and had done a spread in Playgirl magazine, appeared on a number of talk shows and did modeling work. A judge ordered him to pay up to $13,000 in back payments. If the 19-year-old Johnston is unable to live off of his connection to the Palin family, however, he could return to court to request it to lower his obligations based on a significant change in his circumstances, according to most state laws.
One celebrity who will be paying a significant amount in child support is comedian Eddie Murphy, who reportedly pays $51,000 per month to Melanie Brown. When their daughter turns 18, he will have paid more than $10 million in support payments.
