Former Nba Player Facing Charges for Child Support Delinquencies
Posted on Aug 29, 2013 12:00am PDT
Most people, including those in Georgia and Cobb County, Georgia, may
think that professional athletes have no trouble at all when it comes
to finances. Most would assume that sports stars, with their huge paychecks,
have no problem paying child support. Well, that may not always be the
case; just ask former Indiana Pacer Kenny Ray Williams.
While many people may not remember Williams, he was a popular basketball
player in the late 1980s. He was eventually drafted by the Indiana Pacers
when he made his jump to the National Basketball Association. Now, he's
facing charges after incurring more than $660,000 in delinquent child
support payments.
According to prosecutors, the former NBA player was making $750,000 annually
in 1994 but was not fulfilling his child support obligations. After leaving
the NBA, he played overseas between 1995 and 2000 and made approximately
$90,000 to $180,000 annually. Prosecutors also claim that he made a plea
agreement 13 years ago but did not honor it. Now, Williams will face the
possibility of a nine-month prison term and a restitution payment totaling $661,277.
Williams's case should teach a valuable lesson to Georgia and Cobb
County residents who are obligated to pay child support. Those who owe
child support should take the opportunity to settle the monthly payments,
especially when they still have a good source of income. If a situation
arises where the person's income is decreased considerably, a supporting
parent should consider a child support modification instead of simply
not paying child support. Consulting a family law professional may help
answer questions about child support modification.
Georgia and Cobb County supporting parents should also bear in mind that
financial obligations to a child do not end with the divorce. Taking child
support lightly can seriously compromise a child's everyday life and
cause legal consequences to a delinquent parent as well.