THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Toronto Raptors star Chris Bosh began legal proceedings in October to support his then-unborn daughter, says a Dallas lawyer.
On Oct. 3, 2008, six weeks after he split with the baby’s mother, Allison Mathis, Bosh filed a petition in a Dallas court to begin arranging custody and financial support of the child.
In the event Bosh and Mathis could not come to a written agreement, the petition asked the court "to make orders for support of the child" and "provide for appropriate access to the child for both parties."
When subsequent testing confirmed his paternity, Bosh filed an amendment to his original petition on Jan. 30, again requesting an order to cover off care, custody and support for their daughter in the absence of a mutual agreement.
Bosh’s lawyer Larry Hance told the Globe and Mail the filings demonstrate the four-time NBA all-star has attempted to establish his parental rights and responsibilities.
"The dispute is about what amount of money should that support be," Hance said. "Should it be some amount that meets the needs of the child or should it be something more? I can say, from his position, he has been willing to pay a reasonable and generous amount to more than cover the needs of the child."
In a complaint filed in Maryland court, Mathis alleges Bosh — who is making US$14.4 million this season — stopped supporting her financially and tried to have her removed from their home. Citing the court documents, the report says Bosh, upon returning from last summer’s Beijing Olympics after helping the U.S. win gold, told Mathis he wanted to "move on" from their relationship."
The allegations have not been proven in court, and have been denied by Bosh.
