Family Law

My children's lives, are bizarre lives..:)

It's been almost ten years since the divorce was final and my kids are still going through turmoil at the hands of adults.

My divorce settlement was quite simple. X amount of dollars for child support, I got the house, he got the debt (to which I contributed 1/2 in it's repayment, visitation rights every second weekend, and as many nights a week as he wanted.

In Ontario, child support is determined by the payor's income, no questions asked, unless you opt out. I opted out. I asked for a lesser amount, in order that he could afford a place for himself and enough room for the kids.

It's been a tumultous ten years, to say the least..:)

In about the year 1999, the girlfriend moved in with him, on the premise it would only be a few weeks. She hasn't left and they have since purchased a home together, small and cozy with a finished basement.

In 2005, my daughter entered a Nursing program, and in exchange for child support, she moved into the basement of their home, along with her partner. They were having a difficult time holding down jobs and an apartment and going to school, so it worked out well. Until now..:)

The girlfriend seems to have gotten them into a bit of a financial nightmare due to an insurance claim, and she is now serving them notice that the 'in-law suite' will be rented to them at a cost of $640.00 per month..huh?

Along with that notice was a whole slew of rules:

They cannot use the bedroom space in the apartment
They must allow the "owners" a whole day in order to do laundry (the only laundry services are in the basement)
They will keep their shoes out of the front entrance
They will purchase contents insurance
They can only use the kitchen facilities when the 'owners' are not home (they have no kitchen in the basement)
blah blah blah blah...

The ex would not sign the rental agreement prepared by his girlfriend..

As of May 1/08 the rent is due...lol..

This is what my daughter found out in a span of 2 days..

-The father must provide a space for the daughter until she is 25, if she is still in school
-an 'in-law suite' in this province...is exactly that..specifically for in-laws
-contents insurance cannot be purchased if there is no separate locked entrance (there isn't)
-her partner technically does not spend the night there (She works 10:30 pm to 7am)and they spend most weekends elswhere, so she may not necessarily be classed a tenant
-the area in which they lived is not zoned for apartments
-legal aid will cover the cost of her lawyer

What's sad?

Her father isn't condoning it on one hand, but he isn't stopping the process on the other...

May 1st is fast approaching...if I know my daughter, there will be no rent cheque