The world of television is full of drama, both on and off screen. While most California residents are usually able to keep their disputes private, celebrities are not often given that option. When it comes to financial matters, such as child support, it seems that the only difference is in the amounts involved.
Actor and presenter Dean McDermott is expecting his fifth child with his wife, actress Tori Spelling. He has an 18-year-old son from a previous marriage, with actress Mary Jo Eustace. His ex-wife alleges that he has not only reneged on an agreement he made late last year to pay $1,500 a month in child support and alimony, but that he also failed to pay anything toward support in the two years prior to that. The arrangement to which he agreed last year should have been maintained until the middle of 2020; however, it is alleged that only a couple of those payments were made.
In recent court documents filed by Eustace, is has been alleged that, at the time of last year’s arrangement, McDermott was earning around $5,867 a month, and that he was living in a $2 million rental property. Other reports suggest that McDermott and Spelling have extensive debts, including unpaid credit cards and tax bills. Meanwhile, they were recently reported to be enjoying lavish parties, including a baby shower that cost upwards of $40,000.
However complex soap opera story lines may be, real life is infinitely more difficult to gloss over, especially when children are involved. Where there are children in both one’s current and previous relationships, the best interests of all of them must be taken into consideration. Whether looking at sums amounting to hundreds or thousands of dollars, California residents who wish to either pursue or renegotiate child support payments should seek advice appropriate to his or her own circumstances.
Source: radaronline.com, “Tori Spelling’s Nightmare — Dean McDermott Ex Demands $100K In Child Support, Alimony“, Gina Bacchiocchi, Feb. 24, 2017
