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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Inga Parkel

Dennis Quaid files to stop paying $13k a month in child support to ex-wife as twins graduate high school

Dennis Quaid has filed a petition to cease all future child support payments to his ex-wife, Kimberly Buffington, following the high school graduation of their 18-year-old twins, Zoe and Thomas.

In recent court documents obtained by USA Today, The Substance star, 72, cited the terms of their 2018 divorce agreement, which state that he may stop paying $13,750 per month in child support “when a child completes 12th grade.” His two youngest are set to graduate from high school June 3, according to the outlet.

Additionally, Quaid requested that the bonus amount he is supposed to send to Buffington if his annual income exceeds $1,314,000 be prorated to “each child’s graduation date rather than using Dennis’ full-year 2026 income.”

A representative for Quaid declined The Independent’s request for comment.

Quaid was married to his third wife, Buffington, from 2004 to 2018. He was previously married to his first wife, P. J. Soles, from 1978 to 1983, and later romcom icon Meg Ryan from 1991 to 2001, with whom he shares his eldest son, The Boys actor Jack Quaid. He has been married to his fourth wife, Laura Savoie, 33, since 2020.

The Parent Trap actor mostly keeps his family life private. However, last year, after the devastating Texas floods claimed the lives of 25 children and two camp counselors at Camp Mystic, Quaid confirmed that his daughter, who was working at a nearby camp, was safe.

“Hill County in Texas is a magical place, especially for children going to camp there. It’s a cherished memory you carry with you all your life,” Quaid said on a Fox News broadcast. “My daughter was a few miles away from [Camp] Mystic, further north. Thankfully, their camp was okay.”

He recalled the terrifying moment he learned about the floods, saying: “I heard about this as I was going to bed that night, and I tried to call her because I knew she was up there.

“I knew it wasn’t near where the floods were, but I wasn’t able to talk to her till the next day. I didn’t really get a lot of sleep that night.”

Quaid shares his daughter Zoe (right) and her twin brother, Thomas, with Buffington (AFP via Getty Images)
Quaid shares his daughter Zoe (right) and her twin brother, Thomas, with Buffington (AFP via Getty Images)

Weeks later, in another interview with Fox News Digital, the actor addressed his 39-year age gap with wife Savoie.

“I haven’t spoken out about the age difference of my wife. Other people have. But…I really don’t think about it,” Quaid confessed. “She’s got so much going on that, you know, I just don’t notice it. She’s just, she’s the light of my life.”

He gushed about their marriage: “My life is paradise. Every day is paradise with her. It really is.

“It’s the closest relationship I’ve ever had with anybody,” he added. “What can I tell you? I don’t know why God had waited so long to bring her, for her to come along, but [I’m] really glad he brought her into my life, or I walked into hers.”

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