Tristan Thompson Has Been Paying Maralee Nichols Child Support For Baby Theo

New dad (again) Tristan Thompson confirmed he's paying Maralee Nichols child support, despite her past claims to the contrary.

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August 18, 2022 10:58PM EDT
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PREMIUM EXCLUSIVE: Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson take daughter True to sister Kim's Paw Patrol premiere as rumors continue about them rekindling their romance. The on-off couple looked happy and relaxed as they joined members of the Kardashian clan for the private screening. Khloe and pro basketball player Tristan were first linked in 2016 when they were spotted spending time together at a nightclub, and they later took a vacation in Mexico. The two confirmed that they were dating that same year and remained very close through much of 2017. The reality television personality eventually confirmed that she was pregnant with the athlete's child that December through a post made to her Instagram account. Kardashian revealed that she was expecting a girl during an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians that aired the following year. In 2018, it was reported that Thompson was spotted kissing multiple women in several locations, which surprised the clothing designer. That year, she gave birth to True, and the parents later reconciled following the child's birth. Although the two appeared to be going strong in their new roles as parents, the basketball player, just traded to the Sacramento Kings in California, was later caught cheating with several other women, and the two split up in February of 2019. The pair appeared to mend their relationship over the course of that year and were reportedly on good terms by the beginning of 2020. The parents quarantined together during the early stages of the pandemic, and their romance was eventually resumed last August. Earlier this year, it was reported that the couple was planning on expanding their family in the future, although no solid plans have been revealed as of yet. This past June, it was revealed that Kardashian and Thompson had separated, although they were said to still be on good terms at the time of their split. 12 Aug 2021 Pictured: Tristan Thompson, Khloe Kardashian and daughter True. Photo credit: MEGA Th
Calabasas, CA - *EXCLUSIVE* - Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson were seen meeting up once again to co-parent their adorable daughter True, at dance class. The couple seemed at ease in each other's company after a rocky few months in which Tristan faced new cheating allegations. Khloe dressed casually in black leggings and a black top carried True before Tristan took her and carried her in to the class. Pictured: Khloe Kardashian, Tristan Thompson, True Thompson BACKGRID USA 17 AUGUST 2021 BYLINE MUST READ: IXOLA / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients - Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

An attorney for Tristan Thompson has reportedly confirmed that the NBA great, 31, is paying child support to the mother of his son Theo, Maralee Nichols. Tristan “is paying, and has paid, child support to Ms. Nichols retroactive to the date she delivered the child,” the attorney told Us Weekly on August 18. Maralee gave birth to her child with Tristan in December of 2018, making him now eight months old.

Papadakis Press/MEGA
Tristan Thompson (Papadakis Press/MEGA)

A spokesperson previously told the outlet that Tristan wasn’t paying Maralee, who is also 31. The Texas fitness pro has spent time seemingly shading Khloe Kardashian‘s ex in social media posts since their child was born. “Less time on captions, more time on actions,” she captioned a pic of her in workout gear on August 11. Never skip leg day.”

That in itself may seem innocuous, but it came just hours after Tristan posted a pic of himself with an eyebrow-raising caption. “I never switched sides, I switched lanes,” he wrote. “I got wiser and realize we aren’t all built the same #DontTryMe.” 

Tristan is dad to daughter True, 4, and his new child born via surrogate with reality TV icon Khloe, 38, born August 5. He’s also a father to 5-year-old son Prince whom he had with ex Jordan Craig. As he juggles his responsibilities as a parent to four, a source close to Khloe and Tristan recently told HollywoodLife how they’d be approaching custody of their tiny new arrival.

“Khloe and Tristan have agreed that Khloe will have sole legal and physical custody of their baby full time,” they told HL EXCLUSIVELY. “However, Tristan is so excited to have welcomed a son because he really wanted another boy. Even though Khloe will have full custody of the baby, she’s more than happy for Tristan to be present in their child’s life as much as he wants.”

In January, Tristan confirmed that a paternity test showed him to be the biological father of Theo, and publicly apologized to Khloe. “I have the utmost respect and love for you,” he wrote via Instagram, in part. “Regardless of what you may think. Again, I am so incredibly sorry.” It was later revealed that a surrogate was already set to give birth to his second baby with Khloe when the paternity scandal with Maralee broke.