Pennsylvania fans of the actress Jodie Sweetin may have heard that she has been ordered to pay child support to her ex-husband Morty Coyle. On Dec. 15, a judge ordered her to make two payments per month of $1,400 each. The payments are due on the first and 15th.
Sweetin and Coyle married in 2012, but by 2013, Sweetin had filed for legal separation although the divorce was not finalized until 2016. The two have a 7-year-old daughter. Sweetin must continue paying the support until the child is married, emancipated, dies or turns 18. She must also pay back child support through Sept. 1 in two installments in 2018. Those are due on Feb. 1 and March 1.
Sweetin has been married twice before, and she also has a 9-year-old daughter from her second marriage. She was engaged to be married for a fourth time, but in March 2017, she filed a restraining order against her fiance. He was later arrested and sentenced to prison.
In these types of family law cases, a judge will attempt to make decisions that are in the best interests of the child. Some parents may be able to negotiate an agreement about support, but this is not always possible. Sometimes the case must go to litigation, and at other times, parents may reach an agreement that one then does not uphold. When this occurs, it may be necessary to involve law enforcement or return to court. If a parent fails to pay child support, the parent’s wages could be garnished or other steps may be taken to enforce the agreement. Parents who cannot pay support due to an adverse change in circumstances might want a lawyer’s assistance when seeking a modification of the amount.
Source: US Magazine, “Jodie Sweetin Ordered to Pay Ex-Husband Morty Coyle $2,800 Per Month in Child Support“, Nicholas Hautman, Dec. 20, 2017