As I was browsing the internet the other day, I came across the following headline: “Kevin Federline is Making Child Support Money Grab.” The name Kevin Federline may not sound very familiar, but I bet if I told you who his ex-wife is, your memory may be refreshed. Kevin Federline, or K-Fed as he is affectionately known, is the ex-husband of Britney Spears. As someone who grew up listening to Britney and is now a family law attorney – we’ve obviously taken different career paths – I was instantly intrigued and clicked on the article. Kevin and Britney share physical custody of two sons, and recently, Kevin reached out to Britney about renegotiating the amount of child support she pays to him. According to the article, Kevin has asked for double the whopping $20,000 he currently collects monthly from Britney. The basis for his request is Britney’s success as a headliner in Las Vegas. According to one article, her Las Vegas residence brought in more than $137 million.
Child Support Modifications in Pennsylvania
Is Mr. Federline’s request for more child support out of line? At first blush, it seems outrageous that two children would require more than $20,000 per month. But, if Britney and Kevin lived in Pennsylvania, Kevin’s request for a child support modification would not be so outlandish. In Pennsylvania, the amount of support to be awarded is based upon the parties’ monthly net income. But, what if one of the parties’ income changes? A party may file for modification of an existing support order where there is a material and substantial change in circumstances upon which the petition is based. The existence of additional income may constitute a material and substantial change in circumstances. So, going back to my original scenario, if Kevin learned that Britney was earning substantially more money than she was when the original support order was entered, it is very possible he is entitled to an increase. But is that still the case when one of the parties is making Britney type of money? In Pennsylvania, there are separate rules for High Income Cases. When the parties’ combined monthly net income is above $30,000, there is a separate process applied to calculate the parties’ respective child support obligations. I think it is safe to say that Britney is a High Income Case.
Have questions about child support in Pennsylvania? If you think you are entitled to an increase in child support and want to learn more, it is important to consult a family law attorney.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this blog are not legal advice, and are not to be used for that purpose. If you are faced with a legal matter, you should contact a lawyer immediately in order to ensure that you are protected.