Columbus Short Child Support Case -- Former 'Scandal' Star NAILED In Court

Columbus Short is learning a lot about the legal system these days ... today's lesson -- you don't show up in family court and your wife will take you to the cleaners.

The former "Scandal" star was just ordered to fork over a whopping $17,005 a month in spousal support to estranged wife Tanee Short. And if that's not enough, he also has to pay $4,542 a month in child support.

But wait ... there's more. Columbus got tagged for $25,000 to cover Tanee's legal bills.

Short's side of the counsel table was empty. No Short, no lawyer.

Short hasn't even responded to Tanee's divorce petition.