Bristol Palin scored a win in court when a judge ordered ex-fiancé Levi Johnston to pay $61,915 in back child support. Neither Bristol nor Levi have commented on the ruling, but earlier this year, the former Dancing with the Stars contestant said she had not received consistent payments from Levi since 2009.
That same year, Levi said he would sue now 25-year-old Bristol for joint custody. In 2010, a decision was made for Palin to have primary physical custody — but both shared legal custody, noted People . Just this past February, 26-year-old Johnston was awarded joint custody of their 7-year-old son, Tripp, after a long battle over the issue.
“I’m so happy to have my son in my life, and to put all of this back in (sic) forth in the courts behind me. It might have taken me 7 years and cost me around $100,000 in lawyer fees, spread out among 3 different lawyers, as well as a lot of patience, but it was all worth it.”
The frequency of the court visits do not seem to have affected either of the parents’ ability to seek the best interest of their child.
“Levi is a great dad. We have a great co-parenting relationship and Tripp loves him.”
Bristol Palin — Hey Levi… You Owe Me $60k https://t.co/4Dtgj5YSCd
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 27, 2016
After the relationship with Bristol ended, Johnston married Sunny Oglesby, and they have two children together. While nearly $62,000 seems like a lot of money, Johnston talked about the amount of child support he has paid, along with legal fees, per ENews .
“Although I do owe some back child support, altogether I have paid $50,000 in child support for Tripp, which is $600 a month, since Tripp’s birth so at the end of the day I know I have worked hard to meet my obligations as a father. Despite what some have heard I’ve always been there for him, and I go to almost every school event that I can and spend all of my free time with my kids. Right now life is really looking up for our family.”
#itweetFEEDS Has Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin’s legal battle finally reached a conclusion… https://t.co/5OXqID3CYd #ff @itweetFEEDS
— Don ZikkO (@ItweetFEEDS) May 26, 2016
There have also been legal issues with the father of Bristol’s 5-month-old daughter, 27-year-old Dakota Meyer, an ex-Marine, who was also once engaged to Bristol. At the beginning of May, Palin agreed to have baby daughter Sailor Grace’s last name changed to Meyer as he had requested it through a court petition. The two share joint custody, and a judged ruled that Meyer, a Kentucky resident, could visit the infant twice a month for four consecutive days. Arrangements and terms seem to be working, and Palin posted an Instagram photo of her, Meyer, and the baby.
![Dakota Meyer, Bristol Palin, and Sailor Grace Meyer, May 26, 2016. [Photo via Instagram]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DMeyerBPalinSGMeyerviaInstagram05262016.png)
Bristol, a single working mother, said she wants what is best for each of her children, and this includes a healthy relationship with their respective fathers, added People.
“Every child deserves two loving parents, so I will continue to encourage that no matter what. I have never, and will never, keep them from having a positive relationship with their fathers. I did not ‘lose’ any custody case – my son has always spent most of his time with me and he will continue to do so, he is happy, healthy, and knows both of his parents love him. Matthew 5:11.”
Bristol Palin and both young men seem to have what is best for the children in mind. Palin discussed the joys of co-parenting, and also posted photos that show the pleasure she takes in being a mom to two young children.
[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty]