A judge awarded former NBA star Dwight Howard primary custody of his 13-year-old daughter, Layla.
In November, Howard asked a family court judge to terminate his $3,000 a month child support and award him primary custody.
On January 9, The judge agreed to terminate Howard’s child support obligations but ordered him to pay $3,000 to cover Render’s travel expenses.
According to Radar Online, a hearing has been scheduled for May when the judge will make a final decision in the case.
The former Lakers star fathered Layla with ex-girlfriend Tiffany Render.
He was originally ordered to pay $12,000 a month for Layla, but his support was lowered to $3,000 a month due to a reduction in his earnings.
Howard complained that Render moved with Layla from Georgia to Florida without notifying him.
He also accused Render of exploiting their daughter by allowing her to appear on the reality show Basketball Wives Orlando.
Howard said Render refused to allow him to see Layla. Additionally, he claimed Layla is filming inappropriate TikTok videos and making “xesually inappropriate gestures.”
Howard’s lawyer said Render is exploiting Layla by allowing her to appear in a recent episode of reality TV show Basketball Wives Orlando.
In her response, Render claimed Howard was fully aware of her plan to move to Florida.
She asked the court to dismiss Howard’s petition and begged the court not take custody away from her.
In her filing, she noted that Howard plays professional basketball overseas, for “at least five months” out of the year.
However, the judge determined that “it is in the best interest of the minor child for primary custody to change, immediately, to her father, petitioner.”
The judge said Howard and Render would share joint legal custody but Howard has final decision-making authority.
Render will be allowed visitation.
Howard also has full custody of his son David.
David’s mom, real estate agent Melissa Rios died in 2020 after suffering a seizure.
Last year, Howard admitted to having multiple hookups with men after a man sued him for assault.
