• 03
  • December
    2012

Too often with child custody cases, parents' focus can shift away from their children and instead center completely upon the money at stake. While finances are a crucial factor in reaching a custody case's outcome, ultimately the goal is securing a safe, stable, and nurturing parenting environment for kids.

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard is currently caught up in a child custody case that is threatening to become more about money than his son's future. The basketball rival of former Houston Rocket Tracy Mcgrady has been in litigation with ex-girlfriend Royce Reed for full custody of the two's son.

Royce, who appeared on the program "Basketball Wives" and met Howard while she was a cheerleader with the Orlando Magic, has filed a court motion against the NBA All-Star in an attempt to force him to pay for her legal fees as the case continues.

Reports show that Royce's current legal bill has passed $40,000, and may very well eclipse the $100,000 mark before the case is decided. Howard, who is assumed to have unlimited cash to devote to pursuing his case, may be awarded custody of their son by default, should Royce be forced to drop her case for financial reasons.

While the celebrity status and massive payrolls tied to this case may be quite contrary to most child custody cases, the principles behind each side's situation are near-universal. Is Howard responsible for his ex's lack of funding, or is Royce simply out of luck? Ultimately, these questions of money will have a real and lasting effect on their son and their own role as parents. With the stakes so high in child custody cases, the aid of a family law attorney is paramount.

Source: Atlanta Black Star, "Dwight Howard's Child Support Case Gets More Testy," Nov.26, 2012