Baby, Who’s Your Daddy?

Celebrity paternity questions run the whole range from common to complex. But one thing you can be sure of is that they attract a more than their fair share of attention. Don’t be mislead by overblown coverage by the press, asking for a paternity test when there is any doubt has become the norm. Here are 6 celebrity test cases.

Jude Law and Samantha Burke: She says that the baby is his, but rumor has it Jude doesn’t want to meet the child until he’s seen the results of a paternity test. According to a source, “If [Jude] is the father he will meet his obligations to the child. He’s hoping for an early chance to establish that he is genuinely her dad.” Interesting note: Jude allegedly paid for Burke’s antenatal care as a kind gesture—not as admittance to fatherhood.

Keanu Reeves and Who??:  He recently agreed to take a paternity test to clear his name after a Canadian woman claimed he fathered her four kids over a period of many years, in total secrecy, across thousands of miles and who are all adults now. She asked Reeves to take a DNA test and has asked for $150,000 a month in child support, retroactive from 1988, as well as $3 million per month in spousal support. Any guesses as to the outcome of the test?

Eddie Murphy and Melanie Brown: He refused to take a paternity test for months and didn’t contact Scary Spice after she birthed her baby, Angel, in April. In June, the results came back positive. Poor Scary Spice. First she gets the bad nickname and then she screws around with a bad dad!

Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva:  He asked his girlfriend to get a DNA test when the baby is born. The PR machines are all saying that it wasn’t his idea and that his previous offspring encouraged the decision—probably since they’ll be divvying up his fortune. Also rumored is that he was convinced to get the test by some of his ‘closest friends in his church’. Way to go Mel, why take responsibility for the decision when you can point to the kids and your church!

Jamie Lynn Spears and Casey Aldridge: She was pregnant at 16 and her 19-year-old boyfriend requested a paternity test. The relationship was already in trouble when the news came out and apparently, Casey told the family that he didn’t want to be with Jamie Lynn until he was sure he was the baby daddy. Not a lot of trust there apparently. So did he, or anyone he consulted consider that asking for a paternity test isn’t the first step toward restoring a trusting relationship?

Gillian Anderson and Julian Ozanne: The X Files star’s estranged husband Julian Ozanne asked for (but didn’t get, apparently) a paternity test in 2006 after she announced she was having a baby with her boyfriend Mark Griffiths, just three months after their breakup. Anderson gave birth to her second son with Griffiths last year so apparently he’s the real dad! Did Julian want to be a daddy or did he want proof of infidelity?

Britney Spears and Kevin Federlien Move On

I must say I am very proud of Britney Spears for taking control of her life, getting back on track, getting back to her music and moving on.

Back in 2007, her ex husband Kevin Federlien was granted primary custody of her children, but now things have changed.  Britney, as recently ordered, will now share 50/50 custody of her two sons with Kevin.  As part of this new deal, Spears will also have to pay Federline $20,000 a month in child support, and an additional $25,000 a month when the boys are out of California….Spears has recently taken the boys with her on her Circus tour.

This only tells me that Spears is making lots of money and Federline is not if she has to pay that sum of money even with a 50/50 timeshare.  For Spears, although she has to pay her ex a big chunk of change, it seems that it’s more important for her to have her children, even if that means paying the big bucks!

It also seems as though Kevin is now back to work as well, as he will be appearing on the upcoming season of Celebrity Fit Club, along with his ex-girlfriend Shar Jackson.

Jayson Williams Ordered to Pay $200K in Back Support

Former New Jersey Nets Jayson Williams recently informed a Manhattan Supreme Court Judge that he did not have any money to pay his outstanding child support! Despite his claims Williams was ultimately ordered to pay his estranged wife, Tanya Young Williams, $200,000 in tardy child support and spousal support or run the risk of going to jail!

Williams, who made over $80 million playing for the Nets (this does not include his Television run!) , claims he used the last of his money to pay the mortgages on his three homes in South Carolina. He also said that he had to borrow money to pay for his children’s private school tuition.

Which I find hard to believe!

The judge did not buy this foolishness (as most Judges tend to ignore), and ordered him to sell his houses and his interest in a professional lacrosse team.

In July, Williams was ordered to pay $20,000 a month in spousal support (as we call it here in California) and child support, pending the resolution of the divorce case. The order was made retroactive to March of this year. This is important because many believe that that support will be ordered from many moons before. In California the these orders are generally made retroactive to the date the original Motion was submitted requesting support!

Ok. Back to the story.  From the time the order was made, Williams made no payments and Tanya’s lawyers went back to court to get assistance with this matter.  I can’t say much because I don’t know the entire story….but it is sad that he does not wish to financially assist his children regardless of the situation with his estranged wife.

Williams had a seemingly terrific post-NBA existence until about seven years ago. His vibrant personality made him a natural in television but his life began spiraling out of control in 2002 when he was charged with fatally shooting a limo driver at the family’s mansion in New Jersey. A jury convicted Williams of trying to cover up the crime, but deadlocked on a reckless manslaughter charge. He is still waiting for the retrial of that case. Sad sad sad!

Tyrese Gibson and Norma Gibson

R&B artist Tyrese Gibson and his ex-wife Norma Gibson were embroiled in a custody battle over their two-year-old daughter Shayla, however, according to court documents, it’s finally been settled.

It is reported that Tyrese and Norma will share custody of Shayla (the direct breakdown of custodial time is unknown), which shows that the Parties in fact choose to do what they felt was the best interest of their daughter.  The 30-year-old singer will pay $6,230 per month in child support, which is drastically less than before.  It is also reported that Tyrese will also not pay any spousal support (but considering that Tyrese did have a Pre Nup and the Parties were married less than two years, it is not surprising that he was able to avoid it.

Tyrese will continue to reside in his Temecula, CA home and the former couple will split cars and assets evenly.

David Alan Grier and Christine Kim

In Living Color star David Alan Grier is seeking shared custody of his 1-year-old daughter, according to court papers filed this week in Los Angeles.

Last month, Christine Kim filed for divorce from the actor after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. She’s seeking sole custody of their child, Luisa, with visitation for the actor, as well as spousal support.

Grier is requesting the court deny his estranged wife Christine Kim any spousal support. Generally speaking each party to tends to ask for more then what the court may grant in the initial dissolution documents and may also request that the court restricts the others ability to receive an asset or support.

In this case Grier is requesting that the court deny his wife’s request for spousal support. The general rule is that in a marriage of short duration, which is anything under under ten years, the court tends to grant spousal support for up to 1/2 the length of the marriage. In this case they have been married for 2 years so 1/2 the marriage would be one year.  Without a Pre Nup or other agreement, it is likely that Ms. Kim will get what she has requested, at least on a temporary basis.

More importantly, I hope both Mr. Grier and Ms. Kim can reach an amicable agreement – for their daugther’s sake.