Judge Orders Kyle Walker to Pay Substantial Child Support to Lauryn Goodman

On 30 July 2024, His Honour Judge Hess, handed down his judgment following the proceedings between Premier League footballer Kyle Walker and influencer Lauryn Goodman. It has since received much media attention. What can we learn?

Background

Kyle Andrew Walker is best known as a footballer for Manchester City Football Club and the Vice-Captain for the England Men’s team. He has four children with his wife, Annie Kilner-Walker. He also has two children with Lauryn Goodman, who was the applicant in this case.

Ms Goodman made her application to the Court under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989, seeking to provide for their first child, Kairo. At the end of those proceedings, Mr Walker was ordered to pay lump sums of:

1. £1,800,000 to Ms Goodman to purchase a large property in Sussex for her and Kairo to live in;
2. Over £40,000 to meet some liabilities; and
3. A £75,000 furniture fund for the house.  

He was also ordered to pay £8,000 per month in child periodical payments (known as child maintenance). Then, just two days after the birth of their second child, Kinara, Ms Goodman made a further application to the court for further financial support from Mr Walker. The court ordered that Mr Walker was to make further lump sum payments to Ms Goodman and these included;

1. A further £5,000 furniture fund;
2. £16,176 in arrears for child maintenance;
3. £12,000 for a car for the children’s nanny; and
4. Further costs for legal fees;

Mr Walker’s child maintenance payments were also increased to £12,500 per month. Further orders were made for him to pay the costs for nursery and school fees, as well as childcare costs. His child maintenance payments are increased to £12,500 per month, from £8,000 per month.

What is Schedule 1 and how does it apply here?

Schedule 1 of the Children Act allows a parent or guardian, or the relevant child, to apply for financial provision to be made for a child. 

The court can, as was the case with Mr Walker, award a settlement for the benefit of the child to support the parent primarily caring for their child. They may also order a lump sum to be paid, enforce periodical payments or transfer the property into the child’s name when they reach adulthood.

Under Schedule 1, when deciding the most appropriate award, the Court shall have regard to a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

1. Income;
2. Earning capacity;
3. Ownership of property and other financial resources; and
4. The financial needs of the child.

HHJ Hess considered carefully the particularly unique factors in this case which included; Mr Walker’s considerable wealth in both capital and income terms (although he accepted this would deplete over time once his football career ended) and Ms. Goodman’s much more limited earning capacity and capital wealth at the time of the proceedings.

How Pinney Talfourd can help?

If you require assistance on making an application under Schedule One or any other family legal matter, please contact the Family Department at Pinney Talfourd today to arrange a free initial consultation and discuss your next steps.

To contact us, please call 01708 229 444 and we will be happy to address any queries you may have. Alternatively, if you wish to get in contact via email, please direct all correspondence to mail@pinneytalfourd.co.uk.