Section 7 Expenses

[LCB]

I was hoping to get peoples opinions on extra-ordinary expenses. I have been searching on CanLII but was hoping to get some opinions on this site. What do you all think of the following expenses? Section 7 or included in CS?

Graduation Dress/Shoes
Drivers Ed Courese
Drivers License Fees
Car Insurance
Extra Curricular Activities - under $100/month
Cell Phones
Highschool overnight trips
Musical instrument rentals

Anyone have anything they could add to this list?

Also wondering if anyone thinks that the kids should be responsible for a small amount of any of the above. My parents always made we work and pay for portions (if not 100% of the above). My husband and I agree with our parenting our plan and we will expect the same from our kids. I feel that children of divorce get so much handed to them. The CP (sometimes, don't want to offend anyone) seems more interested in "sticking it" to the other parent rather than raising a child that learns about money and saving. All of my friends that had the above handed to them are all in their 30's and living at home. Last week one of my friends that is thinking about buying a condo was actually surprised when I told her the interest rate I pay for my mortgage, she said, "what, you have to pay interest on a mortgage?"???? I'm not kidding!! I hate seeing people not teaching their kids important life skills!!

I would be interested in knowing what activties/things people are paying/receieving money for when it comes to section 7?

[Tayken]

Originally Posted by LCB

I was hoping to get peoples opinions on extra-ordinary expenses. I have been searching on CanLII but was hoping to get some opinions on this site. What do you all think of the following expenses? Section 7 or included in CS?

Graduation Dress/Shoes
Drivers Ed Courese
Drivers License Fees
Car Insurance
Extra Curricular Activities - under $100/month
Cell Phones
Highschool overnight trips
Musical instrument rentals

Anyone have anything they could add to this list?

Also wondering if anyone thinks that the kids should be responsible for a small amount of any of the above. My parents always made we work and pay for portions (if not 100% of the above). My husband and I agree with our parenting our plan and we will expect the same from our kids. I feel that children of divorce get so much handed to them. The CP (sometimes, don't want to offend anyone) seems more interested in "sticking it" to the other parent rather than raising a child that learns about money and saving. All of my friends that had the above handed to them are all in their 30's and living at home. Last week one of my friends that is thinking about buying a condo was actually surprised when I told her the interest rate I pay for my mortgage, she said, "what, you have to pay interest on a mortgage?"???? I'm not kidding!! I hate seeing people not teaching their kids important life skills!!

I would be interested in knowing what activties/things people are paying/receieving money for when it comes to section 7?

They are all NOT extraordinary expenses.

Good Luck!
Tayken

[Berner_Faith]

I agree with Tayken, however Drivers Ed may be considered a Section 7, as it is expensive and it most often than not in the best interest of the child... however, as for Insurance... the child should be paying for it...as well as the cell phone

[DunnMom]

My "opinion" and based only on "my" experience (ie. custodial parent getting full guideline CS and a 70/30 split on Section 7)

Graduation Dress/Shoes NO
Drivers Ed Courese IFFY ... I likely wouldn't pursue it via court though when I was in court the last time this WAS granted as a Sec 7 (not via my case though, I just witnessed it the case before mine)
Drivers License Fees NO ... if the kid is old enough to hold a valid license he/she should pay for their license fee's AND insurance themselves
Car Insurance NO
Extra Curricular Activities - under $100/month NO
Cell Phones NO ... "unless" the non-paying parent is using the phone as the primary number and hence racking up the minutes/texts ... THEN I would fight this. IF the custodial parent does not have a primary phone that the non-custodial parent can reach their child at then I would say NO it is not section 7 but if the non-custodial expects the custodial to pay the cell phone but doesn't want to contribute his/her share then he should not be able to rack up the minutes on the plan
Highschool overnight trips YES
Musical instrument rentals YES

[NBDad]

Graduation Dress/Shoes - NO

Drivers Ed Courese - NO (but you should offer to help with this anyway, it's in the child's best interests)

Drivers License Fees - NO, but again, you should offer to help with the first time.

Car Insurance - NO (the cost of being placed as an occassional driver is < 100/month, so it should be covered under CS)

Extra Curricular Activities - under $100/month - NO

Cell Phones - NO

Highschool overnight trips - Depends on cost
Musical instrument rentals - Depends on cost