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Former taxi mogul insists he cannot pay child support

On Behalf of | Dec 12, 2018 | Family Law

After a divorce, the more affluent Pennsylvania parent is expected to provide financially for a child and, often, a former spouse. When that parent refuses, for whatever reason, to make child support payments, he or she may find himself or herself in front of a judge for an explanation. That is what recently happened to Gene Freidman, also known as the Taxi King, for not paying his ex-wife, Sandra, over $400,000 in child support.

The 47-year-old former owner of a large fleet of taxis claims he no longer has the funds to pay child support, as he has not even been able to pay for a recent electric bill, resulting in his service being disconnected. Furthermore, he has had to apply for Medicaid for his daughter because he can no longer afford her insurance payments. His once-sizeable taxi empire has lost earnings as the popularity of Uber and other ride-sharing ventures grows.

Sandra’s attorney countered in court that Freidman drives a lavish vehicle and has multiple luxurious residences both in the United States and abroad. He purportedly paid for vacations around the world for himself and his latest girlfriend — in her 20s and from the Ukraine. Despite Freidman’s protests that she was only a friend and that he has not been supporting her, the judge ordered him to spend 60 days in jail until he pays at least half of what he owes his ex-wife.

It all comes down to a matter of priorities. When a child does not take precedence in a parent’s life, the court will often step in to ensure that the child has at least the financial support he or she requires. Pennsylvania custodial parents having trouble getting an ex to pay child support should seek the services of a family law attorney who will work on the client’s behalf to begin the legal collection process. 

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