With a pending bankruptcy case, a federal judge must now rule on whether the delinquent child support case against former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker can proceed. A circuit judge recently said he could not take action on the back child support and delinquent school tuition for Walker’s 13-year-old daughter because of the pending bankruptcy case, subsequently leaving the decision in the hands of the federal court.
According to records provided to the court, Walker owes $27,817 in past-due tuition to the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, and $4,195 in monthly child support payments that reportedly have not been made in more than two years. Walker’s attorneys said some of the court documents stating the amount owed were not delivered properly.
Walker, 35, was a three-time NBA All-Star while playing for the Boston Celtics, and won the NBA championship in Florida in 2006 while playing for the Miami Heat. During his 13- year professional career, he reportedly earned about $110 million.
Since retiring in 2008, Walker has suffered financial troubles, including bad-debt lawsuits and gambling debts. He filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010. Walker now works with the NBA Development League in Idaho.
According to the bankruptcy filing, Walker reportedly owes $12.7 million in liabilities, $1.2 million in gambling debts, and $2 million for a home he purchased for his mother. His assets total $4.2 million. The couple shares custody of their daughter, who now must wait for the ruling to determine whether she will be able to stay enrolled at her current school.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Antoine Walker accused of not paying child support, tuition” Naomi Nix, Dec. 23, 2011