"Unless they raise his child support to $20,000 a month per kid it won't be a problem," Greengross said in a telephone interview.
Other Income
Julie Hannaford, a Toronto-based attorney who represented the ex-wife of former NHL player Tie Domi in their divorce, says applying for modification doesn't mean a reduction will be granted.
Judges often first require the athlete to shed assets, including real estate, cars or even championship rings, she said. Canadian law says a divorced athlete with two children being paid $9 million a year would pay about $105,000 a month to his former wife, while one in the same situation earning $1 million would pay less than $12,000, she said.
"Most players are so well managed that they've got enough money put away to shelter against lockout day," Hannaford said.
There's more for a judge to consider than just no paychecks, says Peter Kuperstein, 41, a divorce lawyer and partner in the Boston-based firm of Prince Lobel, which has represented pro athletes he wouldn't identify.
Health Insurance
An athlete's out-of-pocket expenses for things such as health insurance rise during a lockout, since teams aren't paying, Kuperstein said. According to the trade association representing NFL players, a player's health insurance coverage can run more than $2,000 a month.
"The likelihood is that a majority of these players are the ones maintaining health insurance for children and, potentially, their ex-wives," Kuperstein said.
While athletes have agents, lawyers and unions looking out for their financial well-being, the ex-wives and mothers might not. Any court-approved modification may have dire consequences for them, Felder said.