Former reality star and ex-wife to Matt Barnes is asking a court to make him pay her back child support after he stopped paying the court-mandated amount for their two sons a few years ago. She argues that despite being married to another former NBA star, she makes less than $3,000 a month and needs money.
Her lawyers have filed new court documents on her behalf, RadarOnline reported this week.
The couple divorced on Dec. 21, 2016, after calling it quits in 2014.
The former NBA player, who won a championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in 2017, his last year in the league, says that he and Govan agreed verbally to a lesser amount.
Following their divorce, a court ruled that the athlete must provide Govan with $20,000 per month in child support for their twin sons. Upon the athlete’s departure from the league, both parties agreed to reduce the monthly payments. However, Govan claims that since 2021, Barnes hasn’t been paying the agreed upon amount.
Inside the Child Support Drama
According to Govan, Barnes now owes thousands in unpaid child support. This despite reports earlier this summer that Barnes was off the hook for the back child support.
“I have tried to settle this matter with [Barnes]. His counteroffer made it clear he is not living in reality,” Govan says in a motion to the courts, according to Radar Online. “Furthermore, he has refused to pay the court-ordered support, even though we have already had litigation and he is well aware that there is no agreement to reduce support.”
Govan’s personal and professional finances are all over the place. She told the courts she only has about $8,000 in her bank accounts and cash.
She is self-employed, running a cannabis company named RLNTLSS where she makes $15 per hour to make each month about $2,600.
Her current husband Derek Fisher, who has an estimated net worth of $45 million, reported picks up some of the slack by providing housing to her and the twins. He pays the home’s utilities as well. Also living with the retired NBA player, who eventually became a team head coach and general manager for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, and Govan are his two children.
Govan states that she bears the following monthly expenses: $2,500 on groceries, $150 on health-care costs, $1,100 on dining out, $200 on her cell phone bills, $400 at the salon, $200 on laundry, $500 on clothing, $1,500 on entertainment, $350 on auto expenses, $1,000 for her auto lease, and additional miscellaneous bills.
She did not share how she pays these fees independently from her husband, adding to more reasons why getting the back-child support is a priority.
Govan’s Other Legal Battle
Recently, Govan was hit by a company called Silver Leaf Event, which claims through her cannabis venture she had breached their contract, committed fraud, intentionally misrepresented facts, and conspired to engage in unfair business practices.
According to the complaint, Govan never signed the contract and led them on to work in good faith.
Amanda Tingler, the owner of Silver Leaf Events, is suing her for $30,000, based on the project that was supposed to start in January 2023.
“[Silver Leaf] worked on the project through the end of April while regularly collaborating with GLORIA GOVAN and getting things ready with the brands and production team for filming,” the lawsuit says. “[Silver Leaf] filmed the content for the project, as directed by GLORIA GOVAN, on April 19, 2023. That morning, prior to filming, [Silver Leaf] sent GLORIA GOVAN a text message reminding her to sign the contract and to please send payment immediately.”
Govan allegedly never signed it.
“GLORIA GOVAN messaged [Silver Leaf] back saying that she was going to send money on Zelle for $7500.00 of the amount that was owed for production of the first episode,” the claim alleges. “Again, Defendants sent no payment for this amount to [Silver Leaf]. GLORIA GOVAN then stated that she could only send $1,000.00, but she would send more in ‘installments’ as they moved forward with the project.”
She also never paid the expenses in full or with the installment plan, the company claim.
Silver Leaf finally stopped working on Govan’s project in May 2023, citing her non-payment as the reason why they stopped.
Govan has not responded to this lawsuit publicly.
