In our last post we talked about how child support in Nevada is based on a formula that takes into account the income of both parents. However, in some family law cases, income can also play a role when it comes to child custody battles.

Right now, R&B singer Usher's ex-wife, Tameka Raymond, is asking the courts to force Usher to not only pay more in child support, but to also pay her associated legal fees for the couple's ongoing child custody battle. She claims this would level the playing field since there is such a disparity in their incomes. Specifically, she is asking for $50,000.

Raymond is accusing her ex-husband of not living up to his parental duties, which is why she wants full custody of the two children. However, Usher is denying these accusations, and is asking for the judge to dismiss her complaints on the basis of falsehood.

Aside from the fact that Usher and his ex-wife are in the spotlight due to being celebrities, their child custody battle and accusations against each other mirror that of many parents who go through a divorce. It is quite common for one parent to try and paint the other in a negative light in order to get the upper hand when it comes to who should be awarded custody.

In any child custody case, the law is designed to take the best interest of the child into account. Depending on the parental situation, this could mean that one parent is awarded primary custody, or both parents could be awarded joint custody with the child splitting their time equally between both parents.

Source: WAAYTV, "Usher's ex-wife goes to court," Feb. 10, 2012