Former, flamboyant San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons basketball player Dennis Rodman does not make the millions of dollars today that he once did as a star power forward in the National Basketball Association. Rodman’s past still influences the person he is today – a retired athlete and noncustodial father with two children from a previous marriage.
Rodman was recently ordered by a family court to pay $500,000 in back child support. The complaint, filed by Michelle Rodman, said her ex-husband was in arrears for $850,000 in child support. An out-of-court agreement for the lower amount was engineered by attorneys for the former spouses.
Because this was not the first time the famous father of two was delinquent with child support payments, the court found Rodman in contempt. The former basketball superstar is on probation and must pay the debt to avoid possible jail time.
Rodman’s attorney hopes to have the decision overturned. The one-time NBA champion apparently was not present when a court issued its original support order in 2010. Complications involving other attorneys and document processing also hindered the ability for Rodman to pay full support, according to legal counsel.
Another contempt of court finding last spring forced Dennis Rodman to perform more than 100 hours of community service. The order followed Rodman’s alleged failure to meet child support payments in the past.
The road to divorce for Dennis and Michelle Rodman has been a long one. Michelle Rodman filed for divorce in 2004. Some issues, including custody of the couple’s two children, still have not been resolved.
The retired forward’s income today may not support the child support payments Rodman is expected to make. The former professional basketball player could be in a situation facing many Texas noncustodial parents – a substantial loss of previous income.
A drastic or permanent change in finances is just reason for an affected parent to file for a modification in child support.
Source: pippenainteasy.com, “Rodman in Contempt of Court, Ordered to Pay $500,000 in Child Support,” Sarita Kelly, Dec. 8, 2012