Guest Post – Do I Have to Pay Child Support For My Adult Children?

Posted on by stilllearning2b

Are you still wondering about how long you will have to pay child support? You might think that you don’t have to pay support after a child’s 18th birthday. However, the truth may not be so cut and dry.

There is a lot of misinformation out there on this topic, and a lot of people assuming the wrong thing. So today, the team at Fine & Associates are here to shed some light on paying child support for adult children in Ontario.

When Your Child Is Still in School

The Ontario Family Law Act states that “every parent has an obligation to provide support for his or her unmarried child who is a minor or is enrolled in a full time program of education, to the extent that the parent is capable of doing so.”

This piece of legislation stipulates that an unmarried child who is a minor or who is enrolled in a full time program of education is eligible for support only if he or she hasn’t voluntarily withdrawn from parental control, meaning that he or she has moved out and is living on his or her own.

When Your Child Is Ill or Disabled

The federal Divorce Act stipulates that a parent must provide support for their child who “is the age of majority or over and under their charge but unable, by reason of illness, disability or other cause, to withdraw from their charge or to obtain the necessities of life.”

That illness or disability might not be physical. In the case of Greenberg v. Greenberg, the judge found that the couple’s 19 year old daughter did not have the maturity or emotional stability to be able to withdraw from parental control. She was not going to be able to finish high school without financial support. The judge ordered support payments to continue as the young woman finished high school and worked part-time.

Other Situations

The federal Divorce Act is broader than Ontario’s Family Law Act. Therefore, there is a wider range of situations under which a parent would be ordered to pay an adult child’s support.

In the case of Willock v. Willock, a judge ordered a young woman’s parents to continue paying support as she trained to become a competitive cyclist. The judge reasoned that even if this young woman didn’t succeed as a competitive cyclist, her training would enable her to pursue “economic independence” as a cycling instructor.

Not a Straightforward Answer

As you can see, there are too many factors involved to give you a finite yes or no answer.

If you feel like you shouldn’t be paying child support any more, it’s always best to speak to a divorce lawyer. We recommend talking to lawyer before you speak to your ex spouse about any new child support arrangements.

This can take a lot of emotion out of the conversation, while arming you with legal facts- not just your opinion.

 

Author Bio:

Fine & Associates Professional Corporation is a well-respected Toronto law firm that prides itself on providing quality, personal service at reasonable rates. The firm’s lawyers practice divorce and family law exclusively, and are experienced in all types of cases, including but not limited to child support, child custody, and divorce mediation.

 

The Three Golden Rules of Complaining

Posted on by stilllearning2b

We all do it – Grumble and moan about the things that just aren’t going right. Vent out the vitriol accumulated after some perceived wrongdoing. Or harbor a tendency to paint a situation in negativity, focusing on what is lacking rather than on what is there.

We all do it – We complain out loud and even in our own heads. We seek empathy and understanding and commiseration. “That must really suck. I’m sorry.”

We all do it – Sometimes even to the point of habit. A constant low-level whine of bellyaching. That eventually becomes tuned out by the listeners and turned up by the complainer.

Complaining has a place. It’s not reasonable or natural or even desirable to always see and speak of the sunny side. But complaining has a tendency to overstep its bounds. To act like a vapor in unbounded space, spilling into every crack and crevice.

So set some boundaries. Some rules.

The three golden rules of complaining:

1 – Does My Complaining Serve a Purpose?

Are you simply needing to to vent? Are you seeking commiseration? Are you wanting to motivate change, in yourself or others? Are you intending to highlight a transgression with the intention of increasing awareness?

Before you complain, become conscious of your goal. Even better, communicate your goal. And if there isn’t one, perhaps the words are best left unsaid.

2 – Am I Complaining To the Right Person?

If you are seeking change in somebody, that person is the one to speak to. If you are wanting to vent, make sure that you select a trusted ear that understands that words spewed in the heat of the moment may be more intense than intended. If you are looking for comfort, ensure that you don’t constantly complain to the same person; they will develop empathy fatigue after a time and your moans will have a diminishing return.

3 – How Will I Follow-Up?

In order for complaining not to become your default setting, it needs to be followed by either action, acceptance or release. Consciously choose one.

Act.

Surrender.

Or let go.

 

Dealing With Divorce? There’s An App For That

Posted on by stilllearning2b

Divorce can be alienating. It often feels as though you’re the only one dealing with the stuff you’re dealing with. At least in your usual social circles, where most people tend to sugar-coat and Photoshop.

There is a new and rapidly-growing community that aims to fill that void. To be the go-to for advice, inspiration and connection. A place where you can tell it like it is without fear of losing your friends. People you can turn to who have been there and done that (and maybe even used your soon-to-be-ex’s attorney as well). And a place where you can use what you have learned to help others as well.

And the coolest part? They just released an app, so it’s now easy to access on your mobile devices. Here’s the press release that also gives the motivation behind the site.

The idea behind the community is to help give you back your power during divorce through education, support and hope.

From the DivorceForce site:

How DivorceForce Empowers:

1) DivorceForce provides valuable information for people affected by divorce. DivorceForce is a combination of user-generated content with people sharing their experiences, original articles commissioned by DivorceForce and professional advice.DivorceForce delivers guidance on every topic related to divorce and relationships. There is a lot of information out there that is complex and hard to decipher. It’s difficult to know what is credible and what isn’t. DivorceForce has built a beautifully designed and easy to use, mobile app and website offering personalized content to each member.

2) Divorce is a community to bring people together whether they are contemplating, navigating, or have gone through divorce. DivorceForce users provide unique insights and personalized engagement to educate and support its community. It’s members include people like you as well as experts in many fields including legal, counseling, finance, dating, and much more.

3) DivorceForce provides the ability to connect with people in similar situations. Every divorce is unique and it is valuable to find people who may be at the same stage of divorce as you, beginning a custody battle, going through a forensic audit, or having just filed for divorce. DivorceForce members can connect with others in similar divorce situations. Think about the great value in being able to talk to someone who has appeared in front of the same judge or faced your spouse’s attorney.

DivorceForce is available at www.divorceforce.com , and in both the iTunes and Google Play stores. Join the community. Engage with others. Offer advice and share your experiences. Recommend DivorceForce to your friends, family, and colleagues or someone you know that needs inspiration and help.

So download the free app or check out the website. Ask an anonymous question or help somebody else with their dilemma. Think of DivorceForce as social media with a purpose – it’s building connections to help everybody impacted by divorce come through stronger, wiser and freer.
 

Biological Reasons Breakups Suck

Posted on by stilllearning2b

I think when it comes to the end of a relationship, our physical and chemical bodies are on the side of our ex.

At least it certainly feels that way as they both seem to do everything in their power to make the bad practically unbearable.

The good thing, as with your ex’s behavior, once you begin to understand why your body is doing what it is doing, it’s a little easier to distance yourself from its tantrums and not take them as gospel.

So take a read and then hopefully find some comfort in the scientific reasons that you’re having trouble after the end of a relationship.

Stupid biology: 7 reasons breakups wreak such emotional havoc

Autumn Reading List

Posted on by stilllearning2b

It’s been raining in Atlanta for…well, ever. At least it certainly feels like it. And so I’ve spent a good amount of time catching up on some reading. Here are some relevant and quality articles that may be of interest. Curl up out of the rain, make a mug of tea and get your read on:)

You’re Not the Crazy One, So Stop Believing It

This piece gives some information on gaslighting and why those who are mentally healthy are susceptible to such manipulations.

One Research-Backed Way to Effectively Manage Your Stressful and Busy Schedule

I tried putting this into effect this past week. I need more practice, but I like what I see so far.

Women May Internalize Relationship Problems While Men Get Frustrated

Interesting. What do you think?

What To Do When You’ve Been Cheated On

Good advice and a good starting point that injects some empathetic rationality into a situation of pure suckiness.

How to Ditch the Victim Mentality and Become More Empowered

I can never get enough of this stuff. Life. Changing.

I’m also finishing up a great book (Deep Survival) that explores why some people survive physical ordeals (lost at sea, 9/11, etc.) while others succumb. I see so many parallels with the traits and mindset that allow people to triumph over physical situations and emotional ones. Lots to think about.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and if you’re on a rain dance kick, please stop it:) I’m ready to dry out!