Millions of single moms receive child support from their former partners.
Of course, most of those moms aren’t famous and independently wealthy.
Thus, the situation is complicated in the case of reality stars like Kailyn Lowry, who out-earns the average American single mom by about a bajillion percent.
Even so, until recently, Kail was receiving child support from her first baby daddy, Jo Rivera.
Now, the tables have turned, and Jo thinks Kail should be writing him a check every month.
Needless to say, Kail’s not having that sh-t at all.
Take a look:
Not Seeing Eye-to-Eye
It’s a complex situation, as both Kail and Jo are decently well-off, but here’s how it played out on Monday night’s episode of Teen Mom 2:
The Arrangement
Kail and Jo’s son Isaac is now 9 years old. Since he was 8 months old, Jo has been making child support payments of $475 per month.
Crushed Kail
On Monday night’s episode, Kail learned that Jo not only wants to put a stop to all future payments — he also believes he’s owed something in return.
The Bad News
“I should let you know Mr. Rivera thinks you’re a payday for him now that you have shared placement and thinks that he can get over $1,000 a month from you,” read a text Kail received from her lawyer during the episode.
Neglected Money
To be clear, Kail doesn’t need the money she’s been receiving from Jo, and she’s the first to admit that.
Big Whoops
She says she meant to put a stop to his payments, but simply never got around to it.
Blows For Jo
Of course, that’s small comfort to Jo, who’s been writing a check every month for nearly a decade.
He’s Got a Point …
On the subject of his payments to Kail, Jo said to his wife, “I shouldn’t be, you’re making hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars every year,”
Side Hustles
“And then you tell me all the money that you make that you don’t tell other people about, like $5-10K coming in every month from Instagram just on advertisements,” he added.
Dramatic Interpretation
“For the past 8 years, she’s had her hand around my throat, pushing me under the f–king water and just holding me there,” Jo added.
Getting What’s His
“At this point, I’m entitled to something for this past year of me paying and I’m entitled to the help. I feel like I do need some help,” Jo added.
The Objection
Jo’s wife — and Kail’s friend — Vee Torres objected that she wouldn’t “feel comfortable” taking money from Kail, but Jo insisted that it’s necessary in order for Isaac to enjoy the same lifestyle in both his parents’ homes.
Kail. Is. Pissed.
“Just because I make more and you can get it, doesn’t mean that that makes it right,” Kail griped to her friend Becky.
Not as Rich as She Looks?
“I want to see what the expenses truly are,” she said. “Maybe he thinks that I’m making millions, but I sure as f–k wouldn’t be living in the house I live in, driving a Suburban if I made millions!”
Getting Ugly
“It’s hard to not look at Isaac and be like, ‘I hate your dad, don’t talk about him.’ But I can’t, I can’t do that,” Kail said at one point.
Kail’s Complaint
“The fact that he wants back child support proves to me that you are looking for a payday, you are not doing this in the benefit of Isaac,” she told her friend. “You are doing this for the pure benefit of yourself.”
Did We Mention She’s Not Happy?
From there, Kail let loose with a parting shot for the ages.
Ouch
“For me, that’s greedy and that’s selfish and I don’t really have anything to say to you,” she continued, “so go f–k yourself and all I can do is hope that the judge sees that.”
Settling Up
During the show, Kail took to Twitter to assure fans that she’s “already paid back” much of the child support that Jo paid her over the past year.
Kail and the Chaos
Despite that clarification, Kail is still taking a ton of flak from critics who believe she’s gaming the system.
Judge Not
Government-enforced child support, they argue, is for situations in which one or both parents are in dire financial straits.
The Mission
In reality, of course, the goal is to ensure that children enjoy the same lifestyle at both parents’ homes.
Special Circumstances
And with three different baby daddies in three different financial circumstances, no one needs government intervention as much as Kail.
Still …
Even so, you can be sure this heated situation will get much uglier before it gets any better.
Punished for the Hustle?
And as she continues to grow her business empire, she may find that she’s entitled to less of her baby daddies’ earnings — and they’re entitled to more of hers.
A Good Problem to Have
She may find that reality frustrating, but she’s still in a much better position than the majority of single moms.