section 7

[twinsmom]

I actually have an agreement like that. I have my kids living with me full time and would have had to pay my ex s/s (about 200/month). I made a deal with our agreement that he didnt have to contribute to section 7 expenses (his share would have only been about40%) other than post secondary education and i wouldnt have to pay him s/s. I figured that the big section 7 expenses like child care would only last for a few years (my kids were young when we split) but s/s can last a very long time depending on the judge.
One other thing you want to consider is that the s/s is a tax deduction for the payee. So you would want to figure out if that made a difference for you in the long run.
My agreement was filed in court and nothing was done to correct it.

[TLCRN]

An agreement is fine when the children are younger as you mentionned having daycare as expense only, but as they get older, there are extracuricular activities in which some are costly (lifeguard swimming lessons), school trips, school uniform (depending on school your children attend), driver's education course and post secondary education when the child is older.
Does your agreement specifically states what expense are to be paid under section 7?
Unless later on as the child gets older both parents agree to pay their share, it may mean going back to court.
In my case, I did not find out about one of our children having a learning disability until she reached the age of 7-8 year old, which ended up costing me for cost of assessments, tutoring and so forth as we did not have an agreement. It was more than $300 per month.
All I am saying is keep in mind: an agreement is not carved in stone; expenses changes as the child gets older and situation also changes such as possibly income of both parents.
A word of advice: remain friends with your ex if at all possible.....I said if possible to avoid conflicts making life easier for everyone.

[billm]

...lifeguard swimming lessons, school trips, school uniform (depending on school your children attend), driver's education course

These are normal expenses (for most), they are not section 7 expenses.

[TLCRN]

bilm: in my case currently at trial being the 10th day, expenses I listed are under Section 7 expenses and written as being under section 7 on the Court Order for issues to be tried at the trial.
not sure what you considered expenses under section 7? school uniform for catholic school being mandatory and not regular clothes; llifeguard swimming lessons being more expensive than regular swimming lessons; driver's ed course, car insurance, post secondary education' school trips such as 2-4 day trips more expensive day trips; tutoring; ALL under secion 7 expenses.

[momof6]

Sorry, I am in agreement. Just because they are listed does not mean the court will grant these expenses. The judge we had listened, then explained some things do not qualify.Unfortuneately, as kids age, things become more costly. Also, what are the kids doing to help themselves?

Surely driving and insurance is a privilege:it would be reasonable to expect them to pay most of their own way.

Perhaps the parents could each contribut towards a birthday or Christmas gift ($) and if these things are truly a priority for the child, s/he could use the gift money.

Uniforms are instead of regular clothing, which would still need to be bought and is never cheap for a high school aged child.

If your ex agreed to these and is now renegging, that might be different.

If you were still married and could not afford to provide these things for your child and still put food on the table, what would you do? Many parents are just getting by when CS and SS are taken into account.

[wretchedotis]

So what exactly is a section 7 expense? My ex is always saying I owe for swimming lessons and stuff?