Professional Athlete Divorce

We are experts at protecting your privacy, keeping your information confidential, and ensuring the process is done swiftly and seamlessly. Our acclaimed top family law attorneys specialize in handling several high profile professional athlete divorce cases in California and have done so for over 40 years.

Professional Athlete Divorce

We are experts at protecting your privacy, keeping your information confidential, and ensuring the process is done swiftly and seamlessly. Our acclaimed top family law attorneys specialize in handling several high profile professional athlete divorce cases in California and have done so for over 40 years.
Professional Athlete Divorce

Acclaimed California Professional Athlete Divorce Attorneys

Protecting the Player and the Team

The athlete who has been sued to establish paternity or is going through a divorce is under severe stress. Your reputation and lifestyle are threatened. Your performance deteriorates and consequently, your relationship with the team is impaired.

Players in this situation may not understand their legal responsibilities. By understanding your obligations you will be able to deal with the legal, financial and ethical issues involved.  Players who can effectively address the issues in his case will quickly get their lives in order and begin playing up to their potential.

By handling your personal difficulties, you become less of a distraction to your teammates and managers. This supports morale and keeps the organization focused on winning.

When Is the Player Responsible?

When Is the Player Not Responsible?

How Much Does Child Support Cost?

Child support can be very costly — up to six figures annually. The amount of support varies from state to state county, depending on a number of factors such as:
Professional Athlete Divorce

How Long Must the Child Support be Paid?

The obligation usually lasts until the child is 18 years old. In some states it lasts until the child graduates from high school, and in others it can last until the child reaches the age of 21.

Private Agreements

The player and the mother can agree to an amount of support lower than the guideline, but the agreement can be modified if either party goes to court. In some cases, the player may want to provide for the support by setting up a trust. The trust terms can be drafted to deter future modifications.

Modification

The player can modify the child support downward if income decreases or there is an increase in time spent with the child. A trial date can take a long time to obtain, so the application must be filed and served well before the salary change becomes effective.

The Proper Court to Litigate

Some state courts order lower support than others. The laws differ from state to state, and some jurisdictions may be more favorable to the player’s case than others. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in picking the best venue for your proceedings.

Confidentiality

If a matter is settled privately before a court action is filed, it is possible, with an agreement of the parties, for the case to be kept confidential and away from the media. Once an action is filed, the media are likely to find out about it. Even then, if the matter is handled properly, it may be possible to limit the amount of information the media can obtain from the file. In most states, paternity proceedings are confidential. In some states, divorce proceedings are confidential.

Custody Rights

In most states, nonpayment of child support cannot be used to prevent the player from seeing their child. The player may need to obtain a court order to see their child. The player cannot be forced to visit their child, but the amount of visitation can be a factor in setting the amount of child support.

It is possible to obtain primary custody of the child if it can be shown that it is in the child’s best interests for the player to become the custodial parent. Even if the player has sole custody, the player can still end up being obligated to pay child support.

 

Peter M. Walzer working at his desk. He was named Best Family Law Attorney in 2021 Band 1 by Chambers & Partners

The Law Office of Walzer Melcher offers the following: