Pierce Accused of Late Child Support Payment

Princess Santiago's motion says a $8,508 payment due November 1 was not made on time.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Basketball

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stone courthouse facade with a flagpole against an overcast navy sky, evoking a legal dispute. — Princess Santiago has asked a court to order Paul Pierce to pay $8,508 in overdue child support plus $4,000 in legal fees, citing a late November payment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Princess Santiago has filed a motion alleging that Paul Pierce paid child support late for November 2026, with the $8,508 payment for their son, King Rafael Santiago Pierce, due November 1. Court documents obtained by TMZ show she seeks immediate payment of the unpaid support plus $4,000 in legal fees.

Why it matters

The motion alleges Pierce refuses to pay Santiago directly and failed to pay a court-ordered forensic accountant fee, raising questions about compliance with support obligations. Pierce's lawyer states the November payment has been paid in full, and the dispute remains unresolved in court.

The motion cites an $8,508 monthly support payment due November 1, 2026, and a $4,000 legal fee request. Pierce reports monthly income of about $23,000, down from $119,000 after losing his Fox Sports position, a figure the court has not verified.

The players

Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce is a former NBA All-Star and Boston Celtics champion who later worked as a television analyst.

Princess Santiago

Princess Santiago is the mother of Paul Pierce's son and the party who filed the motion seeking unpaid child support.

TMZ

TMZ is an entertainment news outlet that obtained and reported on the court documents in the dispute.

The details

Santiago's motion alleges Pierce paid late, refuses to pay her directly, and did not pay a court-ordered forensic accountant fee. Pierce's lawyer says the November child support has been paid in full. Pierce lost his Fox Sports position and has publicly complained about money issues since October 2026.

November 1, 2026: The $8,508 child support payment was due.
October 2026: Pierce publicly complained of money issues after losing his Fox Sports position.
November 13, 2026: TMZ published a report on the late child support claim.

Season Trajectory

Pierce's dispute follows a recurring pattern among former NBA players whose broadcast income fell after leaving their playing careers. The reported drop from $119,000 to $23,000 per month illustrates how sharply income can change once a media role ends.

The dispute shows how a change in income can affect court-ordered support obligations for families. Readers following similar cases can watch for how the court rules on the motion and on the requested $4,000 in legal fees.

The takeaway

Court-ordered support depends on consistent, verifiable payments, and disputes like this one are usually settled through filed documents rather than public statements. Watching the court record is the most reliable way to follow how the claims are resolved.