Page 141 - The Circle of Life

Typically the child support stops when of age, or marriage or when finished with

college and working but in real life this is not so simple even if it is stipulated
like this in the settlement agreement. You must keep in mind that a child, even
if grown-up and of age, may always claim support from you as his parent. It

does not really stop unless it may be argued he is married in which case the

spouses support each other. Still, if a child becomes destitute, whether through
his own fault or not, there is a duty of support on you and reversely one from
him to you. Family should help each other without the need of a court order.

Can you claim against the grandparents if the parent fails to support the child?

Yes in theory but you will soon find out that the courts will not easily grant such
an order. It is the exception rather than the rule.

Maintenance for you

This very much depends on the individual circumstances. As seen you already
have access to the half of the pension fund etc and we often find something

called rehabilative maintenance which is where you are paid an amount per
month for a fixed period to help you to get to your feet. This is anything from

four months to two years.

You may also claim money for yourself and the amount varies considerably. Note
this got nothing to do with child support which money must be used for the child

and the child only. Most of the arguments are about this where the feeling is
that the child support money is abused for other things. Strictly speaking that is

theft though I never heard of someone actually arrested for it. Keep record of
how you spend the money and get receipts. Be open about it and discuss it with

your ex is my advice. Don't create problems.

We find that most vastly overestimate the actual costs of a child (there is no

fixed amount) and remember you will have to substantiate what you claim and if
unreasonable the court will reduce it and it depends on what is affordable to the

payer. I read of some claiming thousands of dollars for this and unless your ex is

a millionaire or rock star you are absurd. Get real for the courts will be real and
you will make a fool of yourself. Or did your lawyer made that decision to write
more fees? So that you get what you want after the court reduced it? Very bad

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