Unfortunately, many of the Orlando child support stories that make the news involve a "deadbeat" parent, unwilling to pay the money they owe to help support their children. However, recent news about former football player Terrell Owens' child support settlement takes a bit of a different twist. After reportedly being unable to maintain the current level of payments for his children, Owens was able to reduce his monthly payments. What's more is that he was also awarded visitation time.

Owens claims that he was unable to keep up with the $20,000 monthly payments for each of his four children, largely due to the fact that he was not signed by a team for this past season. A court determined that $5,000 per month was a more manageable level of child support based on his current income.

Also included in the new court settlement is visitation time for Owens, which is something he has never requested before. This is viewed as his effort to be a better father to his children. Someone familiar with the athlete said that Owens is looking to get a fresh start this year.

When parents split up, one parent is often responsible for providing some financial support for their children. Unfortunately, not all parents fulfill their obligation to their children. In this case, Terrell Owens does not fit into that category. He is trying to support his children, but his financial situation changed. In light of the current economic situation, it's probably not uncommon for a parent's income level to change. Requesting lower child support payments does not necessarily mean that someone is trying to finagle their way out of their obligation; rather, it could mean that they are trying to be supportive at a level they can manage.

Hopefully Orlando parents with concerns about their child support payments, whether they are paying or receiving them, can take a look at what Owens has done. Though he is unable to provide the same kind of monetary support he did while he played football, he is trying to make up the difference by spending some time with his kids.

Source: Examiner, "Terrell Owens wins big in child support case," Kelly Cozzone, Feb. 6, 2012