On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Child Support on Thursday, May 30, 2013.
Illinois residents may be surprised to learn of the staggering figures that are present in some child support cases. Recent child support cases involving celebrities have highlighted a problem with the existing system: some people may intentionally target others in the hopes of acquiring child support to support themselves.
Charlie Sheen’s ex Brooke Mueller recently went to rehab and the former couple’s children were removed from her care. Although the children were then safely in the hands of Sheen’s ex-wife Denise Richards, Mueller attempted to have Richards’ guardianship terminated due to the concern that Sheen will stop paying $55,000 a month in child support, the woman’s only source of income. A mogul paid $100,000 a month for a child who was proved not to be his. Halle Berry reportedly pays her ex $240,000 every year in child support. Professionals in the field even say that individuals who work for a police department or transit company may be targeted for child support because of the perception of job security.
The large price tags associated with child support may be providing an incentive to some individuals to have children with these wealthy individuals. Although child support is intended to help provide for the needs of the child, courts do not typically monitor how these funds are being used. Some individuals worry that these funds may be misappropriated, such as by providing money that the parent may be using to fuel a substance abuse problem.
Illinois family law attorneys help individuals seek child support orders from noncustodial parents. They may also be able to help modify existing court orders. The state uses a certain child support formula in determining how much child support a person may pay, but the child’s extracurricular activities, medical needs and cost of living can affect this formula.
Source: The Root, “Child-Support Laws: A Boon for Gold Diggers?“, Keli Goff, May 22, 2013