A bitter, high-profile child support and custody case has finally made some progress with the help of a Texas judge. Deion Sanders, an NFL Hall of Famer who played for the Dallas Cowboys, and his wife, Pilar, had filed for divorce, but they faced many challenges along the way. For one, Pilar wanted $14,000 in spousal support, which was denied by the judge. However, the hardest issue that they faced was child custody.
One of the key conflicts behind the child custody dispute was the allegation of domestic violence. Parents who have a history of domestic violence at home are usually not awarded custody of any children involved because of concerns for the child’s safety. For this reason, sometimes spouses emphasize domestic violence claims to ensure that their child remains safe and also to perhaps sway the court concerning an award of child custody. However, in the Sanders’ case, the judge ruled that neither parent had committed domestic violence.
After a tense discussion, both Deion and Pilar agreed to share the custody of their three children. The judge ordered that the former Cowboy pay $10,550 per month to support his children. In addition to this payment, he has also been ordered to pay $3,500 per month toward the home in which his wife lives.
Deciding on child custody can be a very stressful time for any parent. While parents discuss child custody with each other, they should remember that, although this can be a very emotional topic for all involved, the children’s best interests should always be at the heart of the decisions.
Source: The Republic, “Texas judge awards child support, housing costs in Sanders divorce case,” May 16, 2012