One key element here is that the child was only 2 years old when the divorce happened, and since you say "she gave them nothing but trouble all her life with them", I can't imagine what was so bad at the ages of two through 10 or so.

A relationship should have had the opportunity to grow from toddlerhood, but for some reason it didn't develop in a loving way. Was the step mother supportive of her daughter? Did she live with them or did she only visit? What the the ex-wife doing or saying that could have caused problems?

This is a much more complex issue than just not paying your way. This is a young woman who may be needing a relationship with someone, not getting kicked out. How is the relationship with her father? Did the ex-wife re-marry? All of these things factor into it.