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The Panthers want a petition asking them to withhold money for child support payments from wide receiver Brandon LaFell’s paychecks to be dismissed.
LaFell and Ashley Walker, a Houston woman who is the mother of their 2-year-old son, are expected to appear in a Texas court this month on the child support issue.
In a petition filed in Mecklenburg County in November, Walker claims that LaFell owes $4,000 a month.
LaFell’s attorneys say he has been making monthly payments of $1,500, the maximum allowed for one child in Texas.
Sonya Chandler-Anderson, Walker’s lawyer, also listed the Panthers in the petition, along with a Texas court order requiring the team to withhold $4,000 a month from LaFell’s pay.
NFL players are paid weekly over the course of the 17-week regular season.
In a motion filed last month, the Panthers asked the court to dismiss the petition, mainly over concerns about jurisdiction.
“The Panthers will always comply with a valid court order and they always have,” said Charlotte attorney Monroe Whitesides, who is representing the team. “(LaFell) is under an order in Texas that we’re not a part of.”
An assistant for LaFell’s lawyers said a gag order has been put in place on the pending case in Texas.
LaFell said in December he believes he is satisfying his child support obligations to Walker.
