Dončić Files to Dismiss Ex-Fiancée's California Child-Support Petition
Image: Yardbarker

Dončić Files to Dismiss Ex-Fiancée's California Child-Support Petition

21 March, 2026.Sports.3 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Dončić filed documents with the Los Angeles Superior Court seeking dismissal of Goltes's child-support petition.
  • Goltes is the mother of Dončić's two daughters, Gabriela and Olivia.
  • The case is described as an ongoing custody dispute between Dončić and Goltes.

Legal Filing Overview

Luka Dončić has filed legal documents in Los Angeles County seeking to dismiss his ex-fiancée Anamaria Goltes' petition for child support and attorney's fees.

The 27-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar argues that California courts lack proper jurisdiction over the case.

Image from ESPN
ESPNESPN

Dončić maintains that neither he nor his two minor daughters are legal residents of California.

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ Sports, Dončić's celebrity attorney Laura Wasser contends that Goltes is fighting a custody battle in the wrong country.

This legal maneuver represents a significant escalation in the ongoing custody dispute between the former couple.

The couple has two daughters together: two-year-old Gabriela and four-month-old Olivia.

Timeline of Events

The custody dispute stems from a series of events that began after Dončić's February 2025 trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to reports, Goltes relocated to Slovenia in May 2025 with the couple's older daughter Gabriela while pregnant with their second daughter Olivia.

Image from Heavy
HeavyHeavy

Dončić had spent months attempting to persuade Goltes to relocate permanently to Los Angeles with the children.

Her refusal to leave Slovenia eventually led to their breakup.

The situation became contentious when Dončić was not allowed to bring Gabriela back to California after his December 2025 visit.

Dončić described ending the engagement as a 'tough decision' because having the kids with him in the U.S. hasn't been possible.

Legal Strategy

He claims that Goltes filed her petition in California specifically to take advantage of the state's famously generous child support guidelines.

In legal documents, his attorney argues that the California filing is a 'clear attempt to forum shopping.'

The core of Dončić's argument rests on the family's current living situation.

He is not a registered California resident, Goltes has moved back to Slovenia, and their two daughters reside full-time in Slovenia.

Dončić had already initiated legal proceedings in Slovenia regarding custody and support back in February.

He is now asking the court to dismiss the California filing as 'procedurally defective and legally improper.'

Social Media Dimension

The dispute has taken on a public dimension through social media activity from Goltes.

She appeared to 'like' a comment referencing the emotional and physical challenges following childbirth.

Image from ESPN
ESPNESPN

The comment argued that a mother of a 4-month-old child should not be blamed during that period.

The comment included language suggesting that even if Dončić was not directly at fault, he would still be viewed as responsible.

This social media interaction quickly gained traction online.

While Goltes has not publicly commented on the legal dispute, her social media activity has become part of the narrative.

The former couple had been together since their teenage years in Slovenia before Dončić's rise to NBA superstardom.

On-Court Performance

The Slovenian star is currently playing under a three-year, $165 million contract.

Image from Heavy
HeavyHeavy

During the team's eight-game winning streak, Dončić has averaged 40.9 points.

He became only the fifth player in NBA history to average 40-plus points over an eight-game streak.

He joined elite company with Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan and James Harden.

He recently had a record-breaking 60-point game against Miami, though this achievement was overshadowed by the custody dispute developments.

As the Lakers push toward the 2026 postseason, Dončić has shifted his stance to fighting this battle in Slovenia instead.

He maintains focus on his basketball career despite the off-court distractions.

Financial Context

The financial stakes in this custody dispute are significant given Dončić's substantial NBA earnings.

California courts often calculate support based on a percentage of the high-earner's actual income rather than a capped amount.

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) provides that if children have established 'habitual residence' in another country for more than 6 consecutive months, California courts rarely assert jurisdiction.

Dončić maintains that he already covers all of his daughters' expenses.

He emphasized his commitment to his children's well-being over the legal noise.

He stated 'Everything I do is for my daughters' happiness, and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.'

The court's decision on the dismissal is still awaited as he leads the Lakers to a deep run in the postseason.

More on Sports