Jordan McMahon disputes ex-lover's de facto payout
Sue Hewitt | May 03, 2009
RICHMOND star Jordan McMahon is fighting to avoid sharing assets with his child's mother.
He says they were not together long enough to be classed as a de facto couple.
Rebecca McClure last year launched legal action claiming McMahon dumped her and their daughter, Lila, with a few hundred dollars in South Australia in 2006.
But McMahon - who Ms McClure says earns $275,000 a year - has hit back, filing a defence in the County Court.
The key issue in the bitter dispute is how long the two lived together.
Ms McClure said in a statement of claim she was with McMahon for more than two years, from 2004 to 2006, which entitled her to share in the footballer's wealth.
However, McMahon said in court documents they did not live together for two years because Ms McClure spent significant periods away to be with her mother who was dying of cancer interstate.
He denied her claim that they were a de facto couple.
McMahon described several elements of Ms McClure's claim as "embarrassing" and his lawyers forced her to file a new statement of claim.
The pair are still warring over a cleaner who Ms McClure said was sacked, leaving her to do the chores.
McMahon said he sacked the housekeeper because Ms McClure "took issue" with her because she worked for his ex-girlfriend's parents.
He claimed that in the six months after separation, he paid Ms McClure almost $1000 a week in addition to child support payments.
He said he continued to support Ms McClure and Lila, now aged about three.
Ms McClure received an inheritance after her mother died in 2006, which she used to buy a unit in SA, he said.
McMahon said he paid all household expenses during the relationship.
Ms McClure is seeking a lump sum payment, costs and interest.
Her law firm, Griffin Hilditch, and McMahon did not return calls.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25419395-2862,00.html
