The late, great Whitney Houston once sang, “I believe the children are the future / Teach them well and let them lead the way.”
We agree that children are indeed the future. But before they can lead the way, they need to be fed, educated, and cared for, which should be a simple enough task for most parents. But for celebrity parents with high-conflict divorces and complex child support agreements, that is not the case.
For celebrity parents, raising future leaders comes with a hefty price tag. And if the following cases teach us anything, it’s this: while children may be the future, in the present, they’re often cash cows.
The simple math behind astronomical child support payments
Over the years, we’ve seen our fair share of jaw-dropping child support cases, especially among celebrities, where a single month’s payment can dwarf the average person’s annual income. While these huge sums may seem par for the course in Hollywood, they’re far from the norm.
In theory, child support is meant to cover a fair and manageable share of expenses, or roughly what you’d spend if you were all living under the same roof. But in reality, the numbers can soar for various reasons.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as a miscalculation in the original court order, or perhaps a judge leaning heavily toward one parent’s needs. Other times, changes in a parent’s financial situation (i.e., they lost a job or got a promotion) can lead to adjustments.
For celebrity parents, however, the math takes on a whole new level. When your paycheck is measured in millions, your child support payments naturally follow suit. After all, an A-lister like Halle Berry is expected to pay a little more than, say, what an accountant would pay.
With that in mind, let’s dive into some of the most jaw-dropping child support agreements among Hollywood’s elite.
Al Pacino: The Godfather of baby daddy agreements
Al Pacino and Noor Alfallah recently finalized a custody and child support agreement for their infant son, Roman Alfallah Pacino, born June 6, 2023. The 84-year-old actor and Alfallah will share joint legal custody, while Pacino will pay $30,000 a month in child support. Additionally, he’ll contribute 6% of his annual gross income exceeding $2.5 million, capped at $90,000 per year.
Why the huge amount in child support payments?
Pacino’s legendary career, which is marked by multiple awards and several prestige films, has ensured a steady stream of income, even if his finances once took a hit thanks to a corrupt accountant who mismanaged the actor’s earnings. While Pacino has admitted to taking less-than-stellar roles just to pay the bills in his later years, those projects presumably still brought in millions, making his child support obligations proportionate to his earnings.
So, the next time you see Pacino in a questionable film, remember: he’s likely doing it for his kid.
Kevin Coster: The Robin Hood of child support payments
Oscar-winner Kevin Costner pays his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner over $63,000 per month in child support for their three kids, Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. While this is no small sum, it’s significantly less than Baumgartner’s initial request of nearly $250,000 per month, which she argued was necessary to maintain their "accustomed lifestyle."
Why the huge amount in child support payments?
Costner’s two Oscars might not directly dictate his child support obligations, but they do reflect a career that’s far from ordinary and far from over. As a Hollywood heavyweight still landing major roles in both film and TV, his substantial income sets the stage for equally substantial child support payments.
At $63,000 a month for three kids, the math tracks, especially for someone still commanding top-dollar gigs. When Kevin Costner takes on a leading role, it’s not just for the art, or even the awards. It’s also for the three young Costners at home, whose "accustomed lifestyle" apparently comes with a $63,000-a-month price tag.
Brendan Fraser: Unearthing The Mummy money for daddy duties
Oscar winner Brendan Fraser also found himself navigating a high-stakes child support battle with his ex-wife, Afton Smith. And while winning an Oscar doesn’t automatically lead to hefty child support payments, it seems that being an award-winning actor often comes with high-stakes financial agreements after divorce.
In 2013, Fraser sought to reduce the staggering $117,000 per month he was paying in combined child and spousal support. The actor argued that his financial situation had changed significantly, as his career wasn’t as robust as during his peak years. Smith, however, alleged that Fraser was concealing assets worth $14 million — a claim that added fuel to the legal fire.
Why the huge amount in child support payments?
Fraser and Smith share three children (Griffin, Holden, and Leland), which primarily makes the child support portion substantial. Celebrity fathers, especially A-list actors like Fraser, often see their payments skyrocket due to the earnings from their peak years. Even if their careers slow down, the initial agreements are based on past income, which, for someone like Fraser, was significant during his prime. We’re pretty sure all those Mummy movies helped pad this daddy’s bank account with a few million.
Fortunately for Fraser, his spousal support obligations ended in 2019, a decade after the divorce settlement. Now, the pair reportedly maintain amicable relations, a refreshing twist in the world of high-conflict celebrity divorces.
Need help navigating child support in Washington State?
Consult LaGrandeur & Williams for your family law case, whether it’s about setting up child support, modifying payments, or untangling legal knots. We know family law like we know which Oscar winners are behind on their child support payments. Book an appointment today.