Earlier this year, Olympic downhill skier Bode Miller made headlines when he won a bronze medal at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, and controversy arose when a persistent correspondent brought him to tears during an emotional post-race interview. Now Miller is once again making news, but for reasons other than his skiing achievements: he is being accused of failing to pay child support for his one-year-old child.
Bode Miller and the mother of his 13-month-old son were recently reunited in a New York courtroom to continue their battle over child custody of the boy. During the proceedings, the mother’s family law attorney claimed that Miller had not yet paid “a dime” of child support for the care of his son. Miller’s lawyer denied the allegation, claiming that child support was pending in California, where Miller currently resides.
The parents were unable to reach any sort of final resolution during this latest of many family court appearances. The New York Family Court judge overseeing their case ordered them to figure out an interim child custody schedule by next week in order to avoid having to go back to court for yet another hearing. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to do so.
It is likely that this already-complex case has been additionally complicated by the fact that the parents live on opposite sides of the country. In such a situation, it can be difficult to determine jurisdiction, and since family laws vary from state to state, that decision can significantly affect the outcome of a case. It remains to be seen how that will play out for Miller’s son.
Source: New York Post, “Bode Miller hasn’t paid ‘a dime’ of child support: lawyer,” Rebecca Rosenberg and Josh Saul, March 31, 2014