While Christine had a stable relationship with Kody for nearly two decades, things became complicated after Robyn Brown joined their family as the fourth sister wife. Christine found herself distant from her husband as he began prioritizing Robyn over everyone else. In 2020, Christine grew tired of Kody’s neglectful behavior and his rules. She decided to take matters into her own hands and ended her relationship with Kody, seeking independence. In 2023, Christine fell in love and married her current husband, David Woolley. She established her new family in Utah, relocating far from Kody, who resides in Flagstaff.
Christine Wanted Child Support For Truely
Christine Demands Kody Accept Equal Responsibility For Truely
Image via TLC
TLC
Christine separated from Kody in November 2021, but she didn’t file for child support and custody of their youngest daughter, Truely, until 2024. The Sister Wives cast member took legal action for various reasons, including securing financial support, protecting her daughter’s parental rights, and establishing legal clarity. Christine also filed a paternity suit to determine Kody’s parental status in order for Truely to receive the support she deserves from her biological father. Christine chose to pursue this route because Kody had been avoiding providing for Truely for a long time.
Christine waited for years to file for child support. It seemed she wanted to gain an advantage over Kody, so she chose to do it after she had settled in Utah. Utah’s legal environment is reportedly more favorable to single mothers. Therefore, Christine had an easier time asking for legal paternity, gaining custody rights, and pursuing child support. The fact that Christine wasn’t legally married to Kody may have also influenced her decision to file the lawsuit in Utah, as she knew she would receive the necessary support in that state compared to Arizona.
Christine Requested A Paternity Test
Christine Wanted To Prove Kody Is Truely’s Biological Father
Image via TLC
Image via TLC
Christine requested a paternity test in September 2024 to establish legal paternity and secure child support for Truely.
Christine filed for a paternity test because Truely is now over fourteen years of age. According to Utah State Court, Truely can now express her preference, which would likely be to stay with her mother. In the meantime, Christine can make sure that Kody doesn’t try to influence their daughter with his own religious beliefs. She would have the ability to prevent Kody from having any control over Truely. Additionally, Christine filed a domestic relationship injunction, which would prevent Kody from making negative comments about her in front of Truely or taking her on non-routine trips.
Kody’s Not On Truely’s Birth Certificate
Christine Wasn’t Kody’s Legal Wife
One significant reason Christine chose to pursue the legal case was that Kody’s name wasn’t on Truely’s birth certificate. Truely was born in April 2010. At that time, Kody was legally married to Meri and spiritually married to Janelle, Christine, and Robyn. Since Kody wasn’t legally Christine’s husband, there was no need for them to ensure his name was on Truely’s birth certificate. Given that Kody and Christine were in a somewhat healthy relationship in 2010, they likely didn’t see it as a major issue if his name wasn’t on Truely’s birth certificate.
Since Christine didn’t establish paternity at the time of Truely’s birth, she was solely responsible and had all legal parental rights.
However, she was also part of a polygamous family at that time, so it likely didn’t matter much. Christine only took legal action after her split from Kody. She proceeded with the legal case after Truely had grown older and had moved back to Utah with her. Christine knows that Truely will need all the financial support she can get, so ensuring that Kody is recognized as Truely’s legal father will help her now more than ever.
Christine & Kody May Have Deeper Issues
Christine & Kody Strongly Dislike Each Other
Christine’s unexpected legal action against Kody suggests that she still has unresolved issues with him. When Christine and Kody ended their marriage, she explained that she took Truely with her to Utah to protect their daughter’s relationship with her father. She believed that maintaining physical distance would actually strengthen the bond between Kody and Truely. Christine asserted that this arrangement would ensure that their relationship remained close even though they were physically distant. However, Kody didn’t support Christine’s decision. He dismissed her explanation as a manipulative attempt to control the situation.