Finally got my day in court… and very strange it was…
Here’s some info (and myths debunked) for common questions on the forum in regards to child’s contributions towards their University Education.
Today was my first full blown Motion Hearing….. I initiated it a year ago to modify child support to reflect the fact the kids have moved out of her house and are attending university.
This was a Full Motion… however after 2 hours the (very) Senior Ontario Justice just gave up, adjourned the hearing and said solve it ourselves or get another Justice. He did provide us with 2 additional hours as a Settlement Conference, but nothing was resolved and we now have a date in October to continue the Settlement Conference.
Couple of issues he was very pointed on:
1) Adult Children are *NOT* expected to contribute a penny towards their university education. i.e. the 1/3 – 2/3 concept is an illusion and not cast in stone. Parents must pay everything unless the child earns at least $8k/year.
2) Adult Children are *NOT* expected to work during the summer…. And even if the child works, the parents are expected to provide undocumented “beer money” (he called it) during the school year, in addition to the usual list of expenses.
3) Do *NOT* try and budget and allocate the RESP over the course of their education. Drain it… then deal with the fallout.
4) Receipts are not necessarily required. The word of the custodial parent is sufficient in come cases.
This was my first experience confronting a decision making judge.
After a lifetime of saving and planning so my kids wouldn’t have to worry about these years, I continue to be so beyond disillusioned, both with her and with the system, that words elude me.
The best interest of the Children is the last thing happening....
Here’s some info (and myths debunked) for common questions on the forum in regards to child’s contributions towards their University Education.
Today was my first full blown Motion Hearing….. I initiated it a year ago to modify child support to reflect the fact the kids have moved out of her house and are attending university.
This was a Full Motion… however after 2 hours the (very) Senior Ontario Justice just gave up, adjourned the hearing and said solve it ourselves or get another Justice. He did provide us with 2 additional hours as a Settlement Conference, but nothing was resolved and we now have a date in October to continue the Settlement Conference.
Couple of issues he was very pointed on:
1) Adult Children are *NOT* expected to contribute a penny towards their university education. i.e. the 1/3 – 2/3 concept is an illusion and not cast in stone. Parents must pay everything unless the child earns at least $8k/year.
2) Adult Children are *NOT* expected to work during the summer…. And even if the child works, the parents are expected to provide undocumented “beer money” (he called it) during the school year, in addition to the usual list of expenses.
3) Do *NOT* try and budget and allocate the RESP over the course of their education. Drain it… then deal with the fallout.
4) Receipts are not necessarily required. The word of the custodial parent is sufficient in come cases.
This was my first experience confronting a decision making judge.
After a lifetime of saving and planning so my kids wouldn’t have to worry about these years, I continue to be so beyond disillusioned, both with her and with the system, that words elude me.
The best interest of the Children is the last thing happening....
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