On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Support on Thursday, September 10, 2015.
The traditional notions of child support and spousal support were very gender-specific. In both cases, it was assumed that men (as the higher earners or only earners) would make monthly payments to their ex-wives and pay child support on behalf of their children. Of course, it was also the norm for women to be granted full custody.
Thankfully, times have changed. And although it is still common for men to pay child support and spousal support, there are plenty of examples of the reverse. A recent celebrity divorce is a particularly high-profile example.
Food Network star Giada De Laurentis recently finalized her divorce from a fashion designer named Todd Thompson. The two were married for 11 years, and they have a 7-year-old daughter together.
According to news reports, spousal support was not a factor in their divorce settlement. But because there was no prenuptial agreement, and because they live in a community property state, Thompson was awarded half of the royalties from his ex-wife’s cookbooks already published and half of unpaid advances on books she was working on prior to the divorce.
The former couple will be sharing child custody. Despite this, Giada De Laurentis (as the higher earner) will be paying some $9,000 per month in child support.
Both De Laurentis and Thompson have been successful in their careers and will be leaving the relationship with very comfortable personal fortunes. Hopefully, their decision to embark upon a new relationship as cooperative co-parents will be equally successful.
