[Dram]

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/arti...ithout-support

Last fall, after an Ontario judge awarded his ex-wife spousal and child support of nearly $4,000 a month, Hans Mills, an education software expert with extensive work contacts in Southeast Asia, sent Donna Mills an email telling her he had left Canada for good. “The result of the legal instrument which you recently designed and implemented is that there is no possibility of a comfortable life or a (secure) retirement for me in Canada at all,” Mills, 53, wrote in the email dated November 2, 2011. “Therefore I have left the country to seek greener pastures elsewhere, and will never return. Well done Einstein.” “Good luck and goodbye.” With that missive sent from an unknown location, Mills joined the more than 120,000 parents in Ontario who are in arrears on spousal and child support payments. Collectively, they owe more than $1.8 billion to ex-wives and children. The Star tracked Hans Mills to the Philippines. From his hideaway on the outskirts of Manila, Mills says he knows what he did is wrong. He blames a “broken” Family Court system that pushed him to the brink of ruin for his decision to cut and run. “I did a terrible, awful thing, because I had no reasonable option,” Mills says of his decision to flee and stop making spousal and child support payments. “I miss my children terribly. I abandoned Canada, but not my children. My hope is that some day I can reconcile with my children, but not in Canada . . . a morally bankrupt state. At the time he absconded, Hans Mills was under court order to pay his ex-wife, Donna Mills, $2,235 per month for the support of their children and $1,537 a month for spousal support. He also had been hit with substantial retroactive payments and ordered to pay his ex-wife’s legal costs. He is adamant about two things — he will “never, ever, ever, ever” pay spousal support, and he will never return to Canada. He left behind an ex-wife who says she is unable to work due to onerous family responsibilities — looking after four kids, three of whom have substantial medical needs, especially Steven, who has just finished two years of cancer treatment. Hans Mills now lives in Dasmarinas City, about 50 kilometres south of Manila, with his new wife, Rosemarie Espiritu, a former caregiver he met during his frequent business trips to southeast Asia. He has not yet found greener pastures “but I can see one from here.” In the Philippines, he is beyond the reach of Canadian laws, he says, and the FRO is a “paper tiger” that can do him no harm. Hans Mills was granted a probationary visa by the Philippines government last December, with his common-law wife as his sponsor. The two have since married. Hans Mills, who has a BA in economics from the University of Toronto, has held a number of sales and marketing positions with e-learning companies. At the time of the breakup, Mills averaged a yearly income of more than $100,000. Eight months since he last heard from his dad, Mills’ son Steven was eager to open a package that had just arrived from the Philippines in advance of his 11th birthday. Steven’s face dropped and tears welled up in his eyes when he saw its contents: dried banana chips, cassava chips, caramel popcorn and salted peanuts. The birthday card accompanying the dry goods said: “Dear Steve, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love from Dad.” “Why would I want this from my deadbeat dad?” the youngster said. “If he really cared, he’d be here.”

So moving to a different country in order to not pay child support. How common is this?

[pickle]

i don't know. without knowing what the deadbeat dad made in terms of income it's hard to call this one. i'm assuming canada does it similar to the u.s. 4000 a month seems like a lot. still no excuse to abandon your responsibilities.

[EnderWiggles]

What the hell, that's nearly $50,000 a year!

[krypt0nian]

$4k a month?!?

How in the hell?


I mean abandoning your children is shitty, but there's something horribly wrong with that system.

[lazybones18]

Deadbeat Father of the Year

[PantyPhantom]

$4k per month? Yeah taking care of children is a really tough task but holy hell, that's absurd. I'd have done the same.

Eight months since he last heard from his dad, Mills’ son Steven was eager to open a package that had just arrived from the Philippines in advance of his 11th birthday. Steven’s face dropped and tears welled up in his eyes when he saw its contents: dried banana chips, cassava chips, caramel popcorn and salted peanuts. The birthday card accompanying the dry goods said: “Dear Steve, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love from Dad.”

Okay this made me laugh.

i don't know. without knowing what the deadbeat dad made in terms of income it's hard to call this one. i'm assuming canada does it similar to the u.s. 4000 a month seems like a lot. still no excuse to abandon your responsibilities.

At the time of the breakup, Mills averaged a yearly income of more than $100,000.

[Dram]

i don't know. without knowing what the deadbeat dad made in terms of income it's hard to call this one. i'm assuming canada does it similar to the u.s. 4000 a month seems like a lot. still no excuse to abandon your responsibilities.

Sorry left that part out.

Hans Mills, who has a BA in economics from the University of Toronto, has held a number of sales and marketing positions with e-learning companies. At the time of the breakup, Mills averaged a yearly income of more than $100,000.

[xbhaskarx]

Mills’ son Steven was eager to open a package that had just arrived from the Philippines in advance of his 11th birthday. Steven’s face dropped and tears welled up in his eyes when he saw its contents: dried banana chips, cassava chips, caramel popcorn and salted peanuts. The birthday card accompanying the dry goods said: “Dear Steve, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love from Dad.”

What is wrong with that birthday present, was he expecting a PS3?

[SmokyDave]

The full article makes it sound like she took him for everything and then went back for more. She got the 1.2 million dollar lakefront mansion. Why not sell it and downsize? There was only a 600k mortgage on the property.

I'm not sure I blame him for legging it. Much easier than waiting for any kind of reform in the law.

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Deadbeat Father of the Year

forreal like wtf lol

[sazzy]

I don't blame him.

Although I do hope he figures out a way to send his kids money.

[Darryl]

Eight months since he last heard from his dad, Mills’ son Steven was eager to open a package that had just arrived from the Philippines in advance of his 11th birthday. Steven’s face dropped and tears welled up in his eyes when he saw its contents: dried banana chips, cassava chips, caramel popcorn and salted peanuts. The birthday card accompanying the dry goods said: “Dear Steve, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love from Dad.” “Why would I want this from my deadbeat dad?” the youngster said. “If he really cared, he’d be here.”

was he expecting his dad in the box or something?

[jaxword]

Hans Mills now lives in Dasmarinas City, about 50 kilometres south of Manila, with his new wife, Rosemarie Espiritu, a former caregiver he met during his frequent business trips to southeast Asia.

"Caregiver."

[xbhaskarx]

was he expecting his dad in the box or something?

lol

[PantyPhantom]

was he expecting his dad in the box or something?

To me it sounded the children were silver spooned. Probably brain-washed now too by the mother.

[computers putin']

$4k per month? Yeah taking care of children is a really tough task but holy hell, that's absurd. I'd have done the same. Okay this made me laugh.

now that I know I wasn't the only to laugh at that I don't feel as bad. But Holy shit, $4,000 a month is alot, especially considering his salary is in the $100,000 range, that's about half of what he makes.

[Joni]

He took care of his children until his wife got greedy and wanted more.

“Donna got the million dollar lakefront mansion and full custody of the children with child support, but no spousal support, in exchange for the house,” Hans Mills writes. “Everyone at the time agreed that my spousal support obligation had been met fully.” He notes the deal also provided Donna with a built-in revenue stream because the house contained a separate apartment that was rented for nearly $2,000 a month. Over the next few years, a feud simmered between the once-happy couple. Three years after their “Final Order,” all kinds of issues had arisen about the kids and Donna’s inability to work, and a new trial was scheduled for the fall of 2011.

[DrBo42]

I don't support abandoning your kids but fuck 4k a month. Absolutely insane. There's nothing you can do to push back on that amount?

[PantyPhantom]

He took care of his children until his wife got greedy and wanted more.

Okay I fully support the man now.

[jaxword]

now that I know I wasn't the only to laugh at that I don't feel as bad. But Holy shit, $4,000 a month is alot, especially considering his salary is in the $100,000 range, that's about half of what he makes.

How much of a father's income should be used to raise 4 kids?

Less than one half?

[Phaethon0017]

What I've seen from some of the more prolific child support cases, the laws are fucked up and make me hesitant to even consider starting a family without consulting an attorney.

I was on the dad's side until I read one of his sons has cancer. I know that the court will throw you in jail if you can't make payments, but I'd still try to work something out. That's just shitty.

[tallkid123]

was he expecting his dad in the box or something?

I doubt it but I dont think the kid was expecting his father's left-over Philippines Airlines food.

Surprised he ran off to Manila? Most middle-aged white men would target Thailand first.

[Agnostic]

Dave Foley (actor/comedian) shared his experience with divorce and child support in Canada in many public interviews. It seemed so fucked up and broken.

I believe he goes into detail on the WTF podcast if you're interested.

Edit: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily...33046-351.html

[CiSTM]

Ass! But I really didn't know Canada had spousal support, what's the deal with that? I really don't understand spousal support at all.

[pickle]

Sorry left that part out.

so it's about half his income. based on that, and the fact that 3 of his children have medical issues that are serious, that sounds about right. sounds like this guy saw the rest of his life mapped out and didn't like the picture. probably shouldn't have pumped out 4 kids if he didn't want to deal with the responsibilities.

[RELAYER]

Eight months since he last heard from his dad, Mills’ son Steven was eager to open a package that had just arrived from the Philippines in advance of his 11th birthday. Steven’s face dropped and tears welled up in his eyes when he saw its contents: dried banana chips, cassava chips, caramel popcorn and salted peanuts. The birthday card accompanying the dry goods said: “Dear Steve, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love from Dad.”

This is such a Dad thing to do lol

[jaxword]

To me it sounded the children were silver spooned. Probably brain-washed now too by the mother.

Must've gotten cancer from that silver spoon.

[Acidote]

He took care of his children until his wife got greedy and wanted more.

He does not seem like a deadbeat now. More like someone who has been pushed too far.

[Bleepey]

As wrong as it was that he did what he did. Only so much money can be spent on the kids. $100000 a year income, $50k to your ex wife a lot of which will go to a her and the new guy she is fucking. He can't make ends meet on that. That's some fucking bullshit.

[PantyPhantom]

Must've gotten cancer from that silver spoon.

So his son has cancer and the one daughter down syndrome. They got the million dollar mansion and are renting it for 2k/month. The mother can't work, why? So after all this the ex-husband should pay 1.5k for spousal support?

Haha.

“Donna got the million dollar lakefront mansion and full custody of the children with child support, but no spousal support, in exchange for the house,” Hans Mills writes. “Everyone at the time agreed that my spousal support obligation had been met fully.” He notes the deal also provided Donna with a built-in revenue stream because the house contained a separate apartment that was rented for nearly $2,000 a month. Over the next few years, a feud simmered between the once-happy couple. Three years after their “Final Order,” all kinds of issues had arisen about the kids and Donna’s inability to work, and a new trial was scheduled for the fall of 2011. According to Donna Mills, her ex-husband took her to court three times and at one point tried to foreclose on the house. With her bills piling up, Donna Mills says she used this as an opportunity to ask a court to grant her spousal support.

[pickle]

The full article makes it sound like she took him for everything and then went back for more. She got the 1.2 million dollar lakefront mansion. Why not sell it and downsize? There was only a 600k mortgage on the property. I'm not sure I blame him for legging it. Much easier than waiting for any kind of reform in the law.

i recant my previous view. sounds like the wife and lawyer went to town. can't blame the guy. greed is a motherfucker.

[2San]

Wait so she got the house valued at 1.2 million(with a mortgage on it of 600k+175k buyout) and a lakeside house of 1 million(which she could rent out), the husband also paid child support. She still wanted more? Yeah screw that.

[dragonelite]

As wrong as it was that he did what he did. Only so much money can be spent on the kids. $100000 a year income, $50k to your ex wife a lot of which will go to a her and the new guy she is fucking. He can't make ends meet on that. That's some fucking bullshit.

Dont forget that she has 1.2 million mansion with a rental apartment that gives a steady income of 2k. The bitch just wanted more im really thinking what would i do i think i would do the same really 4k a month that is more then my dad earns in 2 months and he has supported me and my brother for our whole life.

[jaxword]

So his son has cancer and the one daughter down syndrome. They got the million dollar mansion and are renting it for 2k/month. The mother can't work, why? So after all this the ex-husband should pay 1.5k for spousal support? Haha.

Personally I don't think having cancer as a kid, even with a lot of money, is an enviable "silver spoon" life.

[Dram]

Dave Foley (actor/comedian) shared his experience with divorce and child support in Canada in many public interviews. It seemed so fucked up and broken.

http://www.popeater.com/2011/03/09/d...batha-southey/

At a Nov. 15 default hearing in Toronto, a judge from the Ontario Court of Justice – using information including Foley's most recent tax return and credit card bills -- upheld the existing child support agreement that says Foley must pay his ex-wife and their two sons child support of $10,700, which has been indexed for inflation. (Southey waived her right to spousal support when they divorced.) He also has to pay an additional $5,000 a month toward the $589,082 in arrears that he has racked up since August 2003. (Southey's lawyer, Jacqueline Mills, says the arrears figure is actually higher because it does not include costs like paying off the mortgage of the home they shared, to which he had also agreed.)

[twofold]

I doubt it but I dont think the kid was expecting his father's left-over Philippines Airlines food. Surprised he ran off to Manila? Most middle-aged white men would target Thailand first.

Not in my experience. I've met two American guys who ran away to the Phillipines (one of them escaping a jail sentence, heh) and they chose that particular country because everyone speaks English, the visa restrictions are WAY looser than Thailand's and the country is more corrupt. I believe Thailand has extradition treaties with a lot of Western countries, too, which would screw these guys over.

It's also easier for an old white guy to get laid in the Phillipines than in Thailand.

[godelsmetric]

So his son has cancer and the one daughter down syndrome. They got the million dollar mansion and are renting it for 2k/month. The mother can't work, why? So after all this the ex-husband should pay 1.5k for spousal support? Haha.

They are his kids too you know.

[PantyPhantom]

They are his kids too you know.

Yes? Didn't you read my post or what are you saying. He agreed to pay child support 2.5k/month, he was OKAY with this.

Then for some reason the mother couldn't work and asked 1.5k/month for spousal support. Read the article.

The deadbeat part in this mess is the mother.

[2San]

They are his kids too you know.

He paid child support. The wife wanted spousal support on top of that while having the house.

[Volimar]

My father never paid child support for his three kids. He was in the Navy and in trouble for stealing money from the navy and they were suppose to set an amount and never did...

[godelsmetric]

Yes? Didn't you read my post or what are you saying. He agreed to pay child support 2.5k/month, he was OKAY with this. Then for some reason the mother couldn't work and asked 1.5k/month for spousal support. Read the article. The deadbeat part in this mess is the mother.

Ahh, so because she couldn't work due to having to look after four kids, "three of whom have substantial medical needs" she's de facto deadbeat.

[edit]And of course she has the house. I'd give the house too if it were between her + four kids or just the dude.

[hiro4]

He does not seem like a deadbeat now. More like someone who has been pushed too far.

Exactly.
I know somebody who was/is in a similar situation where the ex-wife went for everything and kept being a bitch even after everything was settled. She even used the children as a means to get what she wanted.

People can be so cold hearted.

[tallkid123]

Not in my experience. I've met two American guys who ran away to the Phillipines (one of them escaping a jail sentence, heh) and they chose that particular country because everyone speaks English, the visa restrictions are WAY looser than Thailand's and the country is more corrupt. I believe Thailand has extradition treaties with a lot of Western countries, too, which would screw these guys over.

I agree with you on the everyone speaks English part. A lot of company departments' operations here in Australia are getting outsourced to the Philippines because of this.

I still think the Philippines in general is not somewhere you can just easily run to. I've been roaming around Manila since I was a kid and it's not a place I feel I can just walk around anywhere. Sure, people go there for different reasons but it's just not as hospitable as a place like Thailand?

It's also easier for an old white guy to get laid in the Phillipines than in Thailand.

Hmmm... I'd suggest if you have a few hours to kill and you're bored to go through some of these submissions and find the ones relating to the Philippines...

http://www.stickmanweekly.com/Stickm...ubmissions.htm

[Eric Walton]

IDK, growing up I always expected something meaningful from parental figures; I could see myself being sad (as a kid) if my Mom were to give me a grocery store present.

Now, at 11 years old, from all other relatives/friends/acquaintances you take your salted peanuts.

[w00pdiw00p]

Ahh, so because she couldn't work due to having to look after four kids, "three of whom have substantial medical needs" she's de facto deadbeat.

She should have thought about that before she pooped out a downie.

In all seriousness though, she received a house, worth 1.2 mil. and receives 4.5k a month.
Demanding more makes her seem like a deadbeat.

[RELAYER]

^ You know babies don't come out the girl's butt right?

[JGS]

4000 a month for 4 kids and their care on 100k salary makes sense not factoring in taxes.

His ex doing the job over hiring a nanny is way cheaper. That said, factoring in taxes would have the guy struggling month to month.

[PantyPhantom]

Ahh, so because she couldn't work due to having to look after four kids, "three of whom have substantial medical needs" she's de facto deadbeat. [edit]And of course she has the house. I'd give the house too if it were between her + four kids or just the dude.

The kids are 10, 14, 17 and 19yo. Looking after the 10yo and 14yo is normal especially when they have cancer and down syndrome.

"His 17-year-old daughter, once an A student, is struggling at school and depressed." - To me that sounds just bashing the father. Who hasn't been struggling and depressed during their teens.

"His 19-year-old son has substance abuse problems and is currently on a methadone program." - yeah, this is probably the father's fault too.

She should have thought about that before she pooped out a downie. In all seriousness though, she received a house, worth 1.2 mil. and receives 4.5k a month. Demanding more makes her seem like a deadbeat.

THIS. She already gets 4.5k/month and she wants more? GTFO

[2San]

Ahh, so because she couldn't work due to having to look after four kids, "three of whom have substantial medical needs" she's de facto deadbeat. [edit]And of course she has the house. I'd give the house too if it were between her + four kids or just the dude.

That's the point instead of spousal support, she got a lakehouse of 1.2 mil. As was agreed. She got greedy.

[twofold]

I agree with you on the everyone speaks English part. A lot of company departments' operations here in Australia are getting outsourced to the Philippines because of this. I still think the Philippines in general is not somewhere you can just easily run to. I've been roaming around Manila since I was a kid and it's not a place I feel I can just walk around anywhere. Sure, people go there for different reasons but it's just not as hospitable as a place like Thailand?

Yeah, Manila is a weird choice, but there are still plenty of beautiful places in the Philippines. There's nothing stopping him from going to Palawan, Puerto Galera, Boracay etc. He's still going to have an awesome time there.

Hmmm... I'd suggest if you have a few hours to kill and you're bored to go through some of these submissions and find the ones relating to the Philippines... http://www.stickmanweekly.com/Stickm...ubmissions.htm

Yeah, I've read Stickmans stuff before. It's pretty amusing!

I base the ease of getting laid from what I've seen with some of the expats I've met who live in the Philippines. They put up a profile on Dateinasia and get 20+ messages a day from girls that are willing to hook up. One of the guys who ran over there slept with something like 500 girls last year, and he's an ugly 60-something fat white dude. It's pretty crazy.