Advice: House payments

Looking for some advice here.

My wife and I have been married for 7 years, and she is filing for a divorce. We have 2 kids. In Canada you need to be separated for 1 year, unless there is abuse / neglect / other issues involved. We (I) do not want to go to court, but it's getting messy with her thinking she deserves everything.

What I've suggested is what myself and others deem fair.

I make 75,000 a year, so after doing calculations I was going to give her $2300 a month, which is roughly 60% of my wage. That is an accurate number by law for child support + spousal support.

She lives in the house that we purchased with the kids because she didn't want to move with me when I got a new job (the start of the separation).

Now, she wants her $2300 a month, AND for me to pay the mortgage, house insurance, property tax etc. Pretty much that's 100% of my wage.

She refuses to work, even part time, except for at home doing little things for people (like hair). Which is all cash and she doesn't need to declare it.

I feel that the money I'm giving her is enough for the mortgage (1100 a month), utilities (400 a month), and the rest. She also collects the child tax credit (350 a month from the government).

So in total, 2650 a month she's getting.

Any advice? I've worked the numbers and they all work in her favour, but knowing her she's going to come up with some excuse about money to try and prove I'm a bad dad because I'm not giving her more and use that to fight for sold custody. (yay).

/end rant but if anyone could offer advice i'd welcome it.

Hi Gulio

We deal with England, Wales and Scotland here so not able to comment on the way things work in Canada BUT I cannot imagine that you would ever be made to part with 100% of your income to support your ex and children.

Depending on the ages of the children. here she would be expected to work to contribute to the household finances. If there was not enough money for housing and income for you both then something would have to give ... ie rent rather than mortgage, lower standard of living etc etc.

Although we may not be able to help with the legals, we can offer support and understanding - and you never know, there may be other Canada based wikis who would know the answers!

Hadenoughnow