When two Texas parents are not in a relationship with one another, it doesn’t mean that their children’s needs go away. Typically, one parent pays the other child support, determined by several factors, including income and the standard of living to which the children were accustomed if their parents used to be married. If one or both of the parents had a high level of assets, then the resulting child support payments will reflect that fact. This is the situation between actors Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards. Richards claims that Sheen owes her $450,000 in overdue child support.
The two actors were married for three years and divorced in 2006. They have two children together. Richards says that she did not have a prenuptial agreement with Sheen and could have asked for half of his assets, but didn’t. She alleges that he has been spending the money he has on luxuries and to repay debt in lieu of making court-ordered child support payments.
Sheen claims that he cannot get work as an actor because he has been “blacklisted” by Hollywood. He says that he cannot afford the payments because his earnings have dropped. He has two other children with his other ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, and there is no word on the status of any child support payments to her.
Though Charlie Sheen’s situation is fairly unique, it still demonstrates the importance of ensuring that parents are able to make their child support payments. Even if the parents may have negative feelings about one another, it is still important that children are given proper care. Those Texas parents who are having difficulty making or receiving court-ordered child support payments, or those who wish to establish an order for child support, may want to consult an experienced family law attorney.