Celebrities in California should take note that stardom does not exempt someone from child support obligations. Steven Jordan, a cast member of “Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta” on VH1, was arrested on federal charges of failing to pay child support. If he is convicted, he could spend up to two years in prison.
According to federal prosecutors, the 40-year-old Jordan owes over $1 million in child support payments. The federal complaint against him alleges that since 2012 he earned $27,000 a month for his work on the VH1 show. He did not willingly make a payment while earning that money although $18,566 was garnished from his income to send payments to his two children. In addition, federal prosecutors also cited additional information that suggests that he earned $105,000 between 2003 and 2013 in music royalties against him.
His child support obligations began in 1999 when a Manhattan family court set his payments at $6,608 a month. In 2011, the amount was raised to $8,557 a month. His alleged failure to follow a court order and make his payments may result in a conviction and serious penalties.
When child support payments are originally set up, a court will typically consider income and financial needs of the children when determining the amount to be paid. However, a person does have the option of hiring an attorney who might be able to negotiate terms that are more favorable. Whether a person is in a position to receive money or is ordered to pay child support, an attorney might be able to represent a client’s interests in their specific situation. A reasonable order may help individuals avoid missed payments that could result in detriment to the children and serious penalties to the parent who allegedly failed to pay.
Source: Courthouse News, “VH1 Reality Star Arrested Over Child Support,” Feb. 10, 2015
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