By Chris Richburg
A higher child support bill is on the horizon for superstar rapper T.I.
According to reports, the 27-year-old Atlanta native, born Clifford Harris, was ordered on Tuesday (September 23) to pay just over $3,000 a month to LaShon Dixon, the mother of two of his children.
Prior to the ruling, Harris was paying about $2,000 a month.
Tuesday’s court decision concludes a palimony lawsuit Dixon recently filed that claimed she was having a hard time raising the former couple’s two boys with the $2,000 a month Harris provided for child support.
As a result, the 28-year-old mother asked the court to order a stipend that is equal to the money Harris makes as a successful rapper.
Harris later disputed the lawsuit on his web site, StreetCred.com, as he detailed how he provided for his sons, while claiming Dixon chose to live off his child support payments and not work.
The rapper also fathers two sons with his fiancé, former Xscape member Tameka "Tiny" Cottle.
In addition to the increased child support, Superior Court Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane ruled that Harris must continue to pay for the boys to attend private school, as well as uninsured medical bills and expenses related to the children's extracurricular activities.
Joint custody of the boys was awarded to the Harris, who granted Dixon primary physical custody.
Before the new order, the boys, ages 7 and 8, only spent about 40 percent of their time with Harris.
Despite the conclusion of the palimony suit, Harris’ legal troubles continue to occupy his time as he continues to serve 1,000 hours of community service after pleading guilty to federal weapons charges.
The rapper, whose upcoming album Paper Trail hits stores next Tuesday (September 30), is expected to complete his sentence in March when he begins serving a one-year stint in prison.