NBA star Jimmy Butler has found himself involved in a legal battle with his ex, Kaitlin Nowak, following her alleged expensive spending habits with the child support she receives.
According to court documents, Butler believes the $55,000 he is already paying monthly to Nowak is more than enough to care for their three children—Rylee, 5, Brayan, 2, and Kian, 1. However, Butler is now questioning why Nowak is billing him for an additional $10,000 a month for a nanny, which he insists is unnecessary.
Butler and Nowak began dating in 2019 but never tied the knot. Despite never being married, Butler decided to take on the financial responsibility for their three kids and even agreed to child support and shared custody. But, Butler’s legal team claims Nowak refuses to work and her entitlement to living lavishly is unreasonable.
“Mother is not entitled to live as if she is married to a National Basketball Association (NBA) player,” the court documents read.
If you’re unaware, Butler and Nowak welcomed their first child, Rylee, in October 2019, which led to Butler missing three games due to her birth. A few years later, their sons Brayan and Kian were born, with the latter’s birth only coming to light through confidential court documents when Nowak filed a petition for paternity and child support just weeks after his birth.
In 2023, Butler and Nowak initially reached a partial agreement that granted Butler shared custody as he agreed to temporarily pay for a nanny. But, as Rylee is preparing to start school and Brayan is entering preschool, Butler doesn’t believe a nanny is needed at this time.
“Mother is unemployed and refuses to seek employment. With one child in preschool and Father exercising equal timesharing with the older children, there is no legitimate reason for Mother to insist both on a nanny and that Father pay for that nanny,” the motion states. “The parties have attended mediation in an effort to resolve all outstanding issues, but Mother refuses to waive her demands that Father pay for the nanny on top of the tremendous amount of child support he is paying.”
Butler’s lawyers, citing his $49 million earnings this year and a $184 million contract extension, suggest involving an independent mediator to review Nowak’s finances.
