If you agreed to take care of a child who is not your own, a tutorship council was appointed to help you make decisions related to expenses, regardless of the value of the child’s patrimony. If they are still alive, the father or the mother retains their obligation of support toward their child, meaning they will have to pay for summer camp with their own money.
If the child’s parents are not in the picture or cannot afford these expenses, you will have to pay for them. However, if you cannot afford it and the child has money, the tutorship council could authorize the use of the child’s patrimony (e.g., their inheritance). Each situation is different, and decisions must always be made based on the child’s best interests.
The case of a parent
If you are the parent, you must provide for the child’s needs by covering the expenses related to their well-being. This is what is known as the “obligation of support.” Among other things, it includes the costs associated with the minor’s following needs:
- food;
- housing;
- clothing; or
- education or recreation, such as summer camp.
Even if the child has money, an inheritance cannot be used to pay for expenses that fall under your obligation of support.
However, there are situations where tutors could be exceptionally authorized to use the minor's assets under certain conditions.
To find out more, consult the Manage the finances and property of the minor section.
