I have been struggling with understanding how some spousal support situations and some terms of child support are even legal.
Spousal Support
First of all... I do understand that some support may initially be required to allow someone to get back into the work force if they have been away from it for some time due to raising children. I also understand that it is necessary in situations where a spouse has no skills and was always dependent on the other spouse - therefore having no means of getting a suitable job for a long time.
But Family law requires all parties become self sufficient, and still other parts of Law (criminal) indicate you cannot live off the avails of another person. How did this subsidy become an inherent right obtained through divorce? If a spouse is educated, able bodied and capable - why are spousal support terms handed out so generously to the recipient?
Child Support
For the most part - I'm all for it, and I want to see all kids (not just my own) have the best options and best means possible to become independent people with the tools to make it in the work force.
But... its those Section7 clauses that are bothering me. Specifically the post-secondary expenses being mentioned. I agree that parents should contribute equally to the kids post-secondary education - but to put this in section 7 the way it is written basically enforces that the childs education must be paid in full by the parents. A child that is raised in an in-tact marriage does not necessarily get this expense covered. I certainly did not.
I would be much happier to see that child support between ages 18-23 can be paid by covering post-secondary educations costs in lieu of offset payments to the other spouse.
And the time when child support ends - they turn 18 and become an adult, unless they cannot become self sufficient due to illness, disability, education or some other cause.
If the child has no cost of living because they live at home with their parent (shared custody or not)... if the parents have paid for the education in full (RESP)... and the child holds a part time job (lets say the child earns monthly at least what would have been paid by child support) - is child support to the other spouse still necessary? All their needs are technically met at this time.
Spousal Support
First of all... I do understand that some support may initially be required to allow someone to get back into the work force if they have been away from it for some time due to raising children. I also understand that it is necessary in situations where a spouse has no skills and was always dependent on the other spouse - therefore having no means of getting a suitable job for a long time.
But Family law requires all parties become self sufficient, and still other parts of Law (criminal) indicate you cannot live off the avails of another person. How did this subsidy become an inherent right obtained through divorce? If a spouse is educated, able bodied and capable - why are spousal support terms handed out so generously to the recipient?
Child Support
For the most part - I'm all for it, and I want to see all kids (not just my own) have the best options and best means possible to become independent people with the tools to make it in the work force.
But... its those Section7 clauses that are bothering me. Specifically the post-secondary expenses being mentioned. I agree that parents should contribute equally to the kids post-secondary education - but to put this in section 7 the way it is written basically enforces that the childs education must be paid in full by the parents. A child that is raised in an in-tact marriage does not necessarily get this expense covered. I certainly did not.
I would be much happier to see that child support between ages 18-23 can be paid by covering post-secondary educations costs in lieu of offset payments to the other spouse.
And the time when child support ends - they turn 18 and become an adult, unless they cannot become self sufficient due to illness, disability, education or some other cause.
If the child has no cost of living because they live at home with their parent (shared custody or not)... if the parents have paid for the education in full (RESP)... and the child holds a part time job (lets say the child earns monthly at least what would have been paid by child support) - is child support to the other spouse still necessary? All their needs are technically met at this time.
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