Sister Wives: Christine Brown Sues Kody for Child Support—May 2025 Showdown!

Christine Brown took the boldest step in Sister Wives history when she sued ex-husband Kody Brown for child support on September 16, 2024. The Utah court just classified this as a “significant custody dispute” with mandatory mediation scheduled for May 21, 2025—and the stakes couldn’t be higher for 14-year-old daughter Truely.

Why Christine Had to Sue After 14 Years

After 25 years of spiritual marriage, Christine discovered what many plural wives learn too late: spiritual marriages offer zero legal protection. Kody’s name never appeared on Truely’s birth certificate, meaning he had no legal obligation to provide financial support.

When Christine moved to Utah with Truely in November 2021, the financial support stopped completely. By September 2024, Christine had no choice but to file a paternity lawsuit—forcing Kody to take a DNA test to establish legal parentage before she could pursue child support.

The court documents reveal Christine also requested a domestic relations injunction preventing both parties from harassment, domestic violence, disparaging comments, or taking Truely on nonroutine travel without permission.

The $450,000 Medical Bill That Changed Everything

Long-time Sister Wives viewers remember the turning point: Truely’s near-fatal kidney failure in Season 6.

Christine faced a $450,000 medical bill—alone—because Kody hadn’t secured proper insurance for Truely. The crisis exposed the financial vulnerability of spiritual wives who have no legal claim to their husband’s resources or health benefits.

That medical emergency happened years ago, but the financial burden never went away. Sources close to Christine say recovering those costs, plus years of unpaid support, drove her decision to finally take legal action.

Kody’s Response: Sealed Court Documents Raise Questions

Kody hired a Utah attorney on October 13, 2024 and filed a counterclaim on October 23. The catch? The court sealed all documents related to his response.

The secrecy puzzled Sister Wives fans who’ve watched Kody remain largely absent from Truely’s life. During a radio interview shortly after filing the lawsuit, Christine didn’t hold back, calling Kody a “deadbeat dad.”

“Deadbeat dad – sorry, that’s two words, but that can be two. And oblivious.”

— Christine Brown, Radio Andy interview

The comment reflected what fans already knew: Kody saw Truely only 3 times during the 800 days they lived in Flagstaff before Christine moved to Utah.

Why Fans Overwhelmingly Support Christine

Sister Wives devotees who’ve followed the show for 19 seasons rally behind Christine because they watched Kody’s neglect unfold in real-time.

The most painful memory? Kody arrived late to Truely’s birth in 2010 because he was hours away courting his fourth wife, Robyn Brown. From day one, Truely competed for attention she rarely received.

Christine revealed on camera that moving to Utah was her way to “preserve” the father-daughter relationship by “freezing it in time”—but preservation requires something to preserve. Kody’s minimal effort proved Christine’s fears correct.

Meanwhile, Kody bought a $2.1 million mansion with Robyn in November 2024 while fighting Christine’s child support claim in court. The optics couldn’t be worse for the Sister Wives patriarch who claims he can’t afford to support all his children.

⚖️ The Legal Timeline: What Happens Next

Here’s every critical date in Christine and Kody’s custody battle:

Date	Event	Status
Sept. 16, 2024	Christine files paternity lawsuit	✅ Complete
Oct. 23, 2024	Kody files sealed counterclaim	✅ Complete
Dec. 18, 2024	Both parties complete disclosure via Zoom	✅ Complete
May 2025	Kody submits child support worksheet	⏳ Pending
May 21, 2025	Mandatory mediation conference	⏳ Pending

What Makes This a “Track 3” Custody Case

Utah courts classify domestic cases into three tracks based on complexity. Track 3 represents the most serious category—reserved for “significant custody disputes” involving allegations of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.

The Track 3 classification signals the court views this case as high-conflict, which explains the mandatory mediation requirement. It also means Truely may receive independent legal representation through a guardian ad litem—someone appointed solely to advocate for the child’s best interests.

This level of court intervention typically occurs when parents can’t agree on basic custody arrangements, or when there are serious concerns about a child’s welfare.

Truely’s Voice Matters Most in May 2025

Utah law gives significant weight to children aged 14 and older in custody decisions. Truely will turn 15 before the May 21 mediation, meaning the court must consider her preference for primary custody.

Given Kody’s minimal presence in her life—3 visits over 800 days—sources close to the family say Truely will choose Christine without hesitation. The question isn’t where Truely wants to live; it’s whether Kody will fight for visitation rights he’s never exercised.

The $100,000 Question: How Much Does Kody Owe?

A leaked page from Christine’s upcoming book allegedly revealed Kody owes approximately $100,000 in back child support. Here’s how that number breaks down:

Utah law allows mothers to collect up to 4 years of retroactive child support payments once paternity is established. Christine filed in September 2024, meaning she can potentially claim support dating back to September 2020.

The calculation considers:

• Kody’s income from TLC’s Sister Wives (estimated $180,000+ per season)
• Additional income from Coyote Pass property dealings
• Christine’s income and custody percentage
• Truely’s basic needs, medical expenses, and education costs

If the mediation fails and the case goes to trial, a judge could order even higher payments to account for Truely’s unmet needs over the past four years.

3 Signals That Will Determine the Outcome

Watch for these indicators before November 2025:

1. Truely’s Preference Statement

The most critical factor. At 14 (soon 15), Truely’s voice carries significant weight in custody decisions. Her choice between Utah with Christine or Arizona with Kody will likely determine the final arrangement.

2. Retroactive Support Calculations

The financial stakes drive everything. If Christine secures the full four years of back support, Kody faces a six-figure payment—money he’ll struggle to explain spending on a mansion with Robyn while claiming he couldn’t support Truely.

3. Guardian Ad Litem Appointment

If the court appoints independent legal representation for Truely, it signals serious concerns about the custody dispute. This typically happens when parents can’t prioritize their child’s needs above their own conflicts.

Why This Case Matters Beyond Sister Wives

Christine’s lawsuit exposes the legal vulnerability of women in plural marriages. Without legal recognition, spiritual wives have:

• No claim to marital property or assets
• No automatic health insurance coverage
• No child support rights without establishing paternity
• No spousal support if the relationship ends
• No inheritance rights without a will

The case highlights why many former plural wives now advocate for young women to avoid spiritual marriages entirely—the romantic idea of sisterhood rarely survives the financial reality of having no legal protections.

Will Kody Show Up for His Daughter?

The May 21 mediation will answer the question Sister Wives fans have asked for years: Will Kody Brown finally step up as a father to Truely?

The odds aren’t good. Kody has shown repeatedly that he won’t travel from Arizona to maintain relationships with children who don’t live under Robyn’s roof. He’s admitted on camera that he considers those relationships “broken” and blames the mothers for the distance.

But this time, money talks. If the court orders significant back support and ongoing payments, Kody’s financial motivation might accomplish what fatherly love couldn’t: consistent presence in Truely’s life.

Or he’ll write another check—if he can afford it after buying that $2.1 million mansion—and continue the pattern of emotional absence that defined Truely’s childhood.

What Christine Wants Most

Beyond child support payments, Christine wants validation. For 25 years, she sacrificed for a family structure that offered her nothing in return—no legal marriage, no financial security, no equal partnership.

This lawsuit isn’t just about money for Truely’s needs (though that matters enormously). It’s about forcing Kody to acknowledge his legal obligation to the daughter he’s ignored since Christine left.

The mediation on May 21, 2025 will determine whether Truely gets the support she deserves—and whether Kody finally faces consequences for treating his spiritual wives as disposable.

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Sources

• Utah court records – Christine Brown v. Kody Brown
• Christine Brown’s Radio Andy interview
• Sister Wives (TLC) – Seasons 1-19