Court ruling ends long-running legal dispute
The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled Wednesday that NBA player Christian Wood must pay $25,000 a month in child support, ending a long-running legal battle in Lorain County. The decision came after Wood missed a one-day objection deadline and the previous ruling remains in effect.
According to court records, Wood and an Elyria woman gave birth to a child in January 2021. They met on social media while Wood was playing for the Dallas Mavericks. He most recently played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
h case timeline
In July 2021, both parents appeared in Lorain County Court to determine child support and visitation rights. The court issued a temporary order requiring Wood to pay $5,000 per month. The case will go to trial in 2023. After reviewing the financial information and circumstances, the court set Wood’s permanent child support obligation at $25,000 per month, retroactive to January 2021.
Backdating means the total amount owed has accumulated significantly. Wood sought to challenge the ruling by filing an objection. However, he submitted the order 15 days after receiving it.
Missed deadlines determine outcome
The key question facing the Ohio Supreme Court is not the amount of support but whether Wood filed his objection on time. The judge found that he was one day behind the deadline, which automatically upheld the trial court’s ruling.
The court announcement said timing issues controlled the case. Because of the late filing, the judges did not revisit the decision to set the monthly payments at $25,000.
what happens next
With the ruling now final, Wood is responsible for full monthly payments and retroactive amounts. The decision also means that previous Lorain County trial court findings regarding support and visitation remain intact.
The case is a reminder of how procedural deadlines can determine legal outcomes, even in high-profile disputes involving professional athletes. Wood’s next steps will need to follow the lower court process, as the state’s highest court has now closed the door to an appeal.
The ruling marks a significant financial obligation for the veteran forward as he continues his NBA career.
