Former NBA player Trevor Ariza is fighting to prove that despite making $116 million in his basketball career, he cannot pay the $60,000 per month in support requested by his wife, Bree Anderson, in their divorce proceedings.
“I am in the process of reducing my monthly expenses as I am now unemployed & cannot maintain my former lifestyle,” Trevor wrote in a declaration to a California court, as reported by RadarOnline.
Divorce Battle
Anderson filed for divorce in 2022. The couple has been arguing about child and spousal support as well as custody of their two children throughout the proceedings. In the latest news, according to RadarOnline, Ariza recently submitted a report compiled by a certified public accountant proving his inability to pay more than $3,000 monthly in child and spousal support. In the report, the CPA claimed that Ariza’s monthly cash flow is estimated at $21,000. Based on his expenses, he would be able to pay $3,086 in child and spousal support. That’s a big difference from the $60,000 his soon-to-be ex-wife is requesting. In addition, the CPA argued that Ariza’s savings have dwindled significantly as he has continued to maintain his family’s expenses.
Wife Demands Child and Spousal Support
Anderson, however, disagrees. She argues that while Ariza might not have an NBA salary anymore, he does have assets that can be used to make financial obligations so that his children can maintain a life similar to the one they experienced while he was working.
Ariza reportedly has a net worth of $40 million. After being drafted into the NBA in 2004, Ariza played for the New York Knicks for two years before being traded to the Orlando Magic. He’s played for teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers. After going back to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022, he endured an injury that left him unable to finish the rest of the season. He was waived from the team in April 2022 and has not played since.
Anderson argued in court filings that during her marriage to Ariza the family lived in a five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home in Playa Vista, California. They used the services of personal chefs and other household staff daily and were carted around in a Rolls-Royce. She argued that the couple’s children should be able to maintain this lifestyle even if she is no longer married to Anderson.
Yet Ariza claimed that he was reducing his monthly budget and overall spending habits. Ariza shared his monthly expenses in a previous court filing, Radar Online reports. He listed $13,000 in child support for his older son, $8,900 for childcare expenses, $13,000 for his mortgage, $1,400 for maintenance of his home, $1,500 for groceries, $3,000 for leisure activities, $800 for laundry, $3,500 on clothes, $3,200 for tuition, $14,000 on car payments and $19,000 on other expenses such as an assistant, basketball training, massages, boxing classes, and his girlfriend.
Marriage and Divorce
Ariza married Anderson in 2018. The couple have two children, and Ariza also has a son from a previous relationship. Anderson filed for divorce from Ariza in September 2022 and requested primary custody of their children. In response, Ariza requested joint custody. Soon afterward, Anderson filed a temporary restraining order, alleging that Ariza abused her during their marriage. Ariza fired back by denying Anderson’s allegations and also filing a restraining order. His request, however, was denied.
In August, Ariza was accused of causing Anderson excessive legal fees because he would not cooperate in the divorce negotiations.
According to Anderson’s attorney, Ariza’s actions were in “bad faith and have caused” her “under expense for attorney fees and costs,” RadarOnline. As a result, Anderson believed Ariza should pay for her attorney fees.
The couple is expected to appear in court in October to further discuss Ariza’s financial obligations to Anderson and their children.
