Former ‘Cosby’ Star Keshia Knight Pulliam Lands Victory in Backed Child Support Case Against Her Ex; Ex Facing Jail Time
One of America’s favorite ‘Cosby’ kids can now breathe a sigh of relief. Keshia Knight Pulliam’s court battle with her ex, former RHOA star Ed Hartwell, appears to be over. The child actor and Hartwell’s child support case has been brutal but a judge is siding with Pulliam.
Keshia Knight Pulliam and Ed Hartwell’s battle over backed child support
Pulliam and Hartwell married in a surprise ceremony in January 2016 in front of close friends and family after a four-month courtship. On her podcast, Pulliam gushed about her whirlwind romance, but by July of the same year, the couple split.
Pulliam accuses Hartwell of abandonment and infidelity and Hartwell initially denied their unborn child, claiming Pulliam’s only desire was to immediately start a family.
Present-day, the two continually trade allegations toward one another. Pulliam insists Hartwell is an absentee father and does not contribute financially for their daughter. Despite having a court order for visitation and child support, Pulliam claims Hartwell is behind.
She requested a judge put Hartwell behind bars in April 2020 for defaulting on several months of child support payments. Pulliam’s lawyer says she’s owed $32,000 from Hartwell.
Under their agreement, Hartwell is to pay $3,007 monthly for their daughter but Pulliam says Hartwell does not pay in full and even skips months. She notes that Hartwell receives a $9,000 monthly disability payment from the NFL and has other income but deliberately chooses not to uphold his end of the deal.
Judge forces Ed Hartwell to pay backed child support or risk jail time
Bossip reports that a judge is siding with Pulliam. Not only does the judge find Hartwell in contempt of not paying his child support and is ordering him to cough up the $34,000, but she’s also ordering Hartwell to pay Pulliam’s moving expenses and utilities for their marital home. Pulliam left the home when she and Hartwell split.
The judge is also irritated upon discovering that Hartwell receives an additional $400 in social security benefits that he says is to care for two other children. Of Hartwell hiding the additional money, the judge finds the matter “disingenuous and concerning.”
Due to Hartwell owing so much in child support and having to make his usual payments, the judge is generously providing him with a payment plan. According to court documents, Hartwell will pay Pulliam a lump sum of $6,588 in August 2020, another $6,588 in the fall and $1,000 a month increments.
The order also stated that Hartwell will pay $28,360 in the Spring of 2021 and child support arrearages at $1,000 a month in addition to his $3,000 monthly child support payments. Failure to pay on Hartwell’s part could result in jail time. Hartwell also must pay Pulliam’s legal fees.
Pulliam is now dating fellow actor Brad James and posts pictures often of the two with her and Hartwell’s daughter. Hartwell is remarried and has another child with his new wife.
