Chainkeen|Jana Kramer’s Ex Mike Caussin Shares Resentment Over Her Child Support Payments

Jana Kramer and Chainkeenex-husband Mike Caussin are getting candid about their post-divorce relationship.

The One Tree Hill alum—who finalized her divorce from the former football player in 2021 after six years of marriage—pays monthly child support payments to her ex while he establishes his own financial independence, and the pair recently shared how it’s an ongoing point of contention.

“I hate it,” Mike said during the Nov. 12 episode of Whine Down with Jana Kramer. “This is the true, last remaining resentment and Jana hasn't made up that I enjoy receiving that, especially with money being a thing in our marriage and our history.”

In addition to the $3,200 per month that Jana—who shares Jolie, 8, and Jace, 5, with Mike—pays the 37-year-old, she maintains custody of the kids about two-thirds of the time and provides their kids' health insurance, according to documents previously obtained by E! News. But Mike is quick to remind the actress he doesn’t plan to rely on her support forever.

“The last thing I want is for you to think that I need, I want that from you,” he noted. “Finding my way post divorce, finding my career, finding the thing where I can provide and do all of that stuff has taken some time.” 

“It's a battle because I reinvest stuff that I make back into my business in order to make more and build and build and build,” Mike continued. “Trust me, it's my goal … to show up and have a paper from my lawyer signing over, ‘Hey, this is not your legal obligation anymore.’”

And he is adamant that he wants to relieve Jana—who shares son Roman, 12 months, with husband Allan Russell—of the financial and emotional burden.

“I know how much weight you have with it, how it affects you,” Mike told her. “You hold it against me and it creates this narrative that just isn't accurate.”

“It's just a last remaining thing conflicting between us that still lingers from our past,” he added. “I want to be able to relinquish both of us, all of us, from that. That's the last lingering thing between us and my own pride and ego is destroyed [by] the fact that I am in a position where I need to take it, to be completely vulnerable. It is what it is.”

Despite their tumultuous breakup, Jana and Mike have worked to get to a better place. For instance, last year she detailed a small bonding moment between Allan and Mike over a beer and how it marked a sweet turning point in her blended family.

"I remember sitting there going, 'This is really cool,'” she explained on her podcast at the time. “I never would have dreamt it this way, but I go, 'This is cool.'"

Read on to learn more about Jana’s family.

Jana was all smiles appearing with Allan Russell, their baby boy Roman, and her older kids Jolie and Jace at Stirling Castle in Scotland ahead of the couple's wedding in July 2024.

Jana Kramer and Allan Russell snuggled up with their son Roman during Easter celebrations in 2024.

Jana and Allan posed for a family portait her kids Jolie and Jace—who she shares with ex Mike Caussin—in August 2023, writing, "Family fun in Michigan."

"That’s a wrap on another 4th of July family trip," Jana wrote in 2023. "Core memories made."

The family celebrated the holiday in The Great Lakes State.

"You’ve got a friend in us," the star wrote while channeling Toy Story for Halloween 2022. "Love, little Bo Peep, buzz, Jessie and Woody."

Jolie started second grade in 2023, sharing that she wants to be an actress and singer like her mom.

"Someone is excited for their first day of school and someone is not," Jana joked. "2nd grade and the last year of preschool here they come!"

"Celebrated Christmas morning with the kiddos today," she wrote on Dec. 26, 2022. "It was still the same joy even on a different day…and it even snowed just like a true Christmas Day. Pure magic. Thanks to the mommas who told me about this idea." But not all was festive, as she noted, "And a big Shoutout to the grinch for leaving me the flu in my stocking and an ear infection for Jace."

Jana was feeling "blessed" on New Year's Eve 2022. "Happy New Years from me and my babies!" she wrote.

Jana and Jolie had a mother-daughter boating trip in July 2023.

The actress captioned the shot, "Best mommy daughter time."

The "I Got the Boy" singer gave a glimpse into "life lately" in June 2023, featuring Jolie enjoying a sweet summer treat.

Her son Jace was all smiles after removing his Spider-Man face paint while bearing a "Brotherhood" T-shirt.