Johnston seeks lower support payments

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- An attorney for Levi Johnston says the former fiance of Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, wants lower child-support payments.

Attorney Rex Butler, who is representing Johnston, said while his client's income increased dramatically in 2009, Johnston's child support payments to Bristol Palin should be based on his average income, the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News said Friday.

Butler argues in court documents that Johnston's 2009 earnings were not indicative of the 19-year-old's typical income and therefore should not be used as the basis for child-support payments.

Johnston said in an affidavit he made more than $100,000 in 2009, adding his potential 2010 earnings are unclear.

"Levi Johnston's income spiked dramatically in 2009 as a result of media exposure generated by the presidential campaign of 2008," Butler said in court filings. "Prior to 2009, Johnston never made over approximately $10,000 annually."

Johnston and Brisol Palin, who ended their engagement in March 2009, have a son, Tripp, who was born in December 2008. Johnston has given Palin $4,400 in support payments since the boy's birth.

The Daily News said Palin, 19, wants sole custody of the boy as well as $1,750 a month in support payments from Johnston.