Cell phone is a Utility

[ba11361]

My soon-to-be ex-husband is required to pay, among other things, the utilities for the household for the past year. Telephone is a utility. He claims the family's cell telephone bill is not a utility.

Where can I find a definition showing that a telephone is a telephone whether cellular or landline?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

 

[CdwJava]

My soon-to-be ex-husband is required to pay, among other things, the utilities for the household for the past year. Telephone is a utility. He claims the family's cell telephone bill is not a utility.

Where can I find a definition showing that a telephone is a telephone whether cellular or landline?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

What state are you in?

Some states are likely to say that a cell phone is NOT a utility. A landline into the residence, yes ... a cell phone, no. One is a staple of life, the other is a common luxury. But, other states might have decided that a cell phone is no longer a luxury.

- Carl

 

[Duranie]

Do you have a land line? I agree that a cell phone is not a necessitiy it is a luxury. If you have a land line then he should not have to pay both. If you have no land line then you MIGHT have some luck paying a basic cell phone bill, but then why should he have to pay for texting, etc.. that stuff is luxury.

 

[ba11361]

Thank you for your prompt response.

The case is in New York so I'd love to know if NY recognizes cell fones as a utility.

Secondly, Duranie, you may have hit the nail on the head. When he contacts the kids it's always on their cell phone by voice or text exclusively. It's a family plan, he and I are $10 add ons. It's primarily for the kids who are away at college and it's the only way to get in touch with them during the school year.

 

[Duranie]

Yes but cell phones and texting are not necessary. We survived for years without cell phones. It can easily be argued as a luxury. If you want to communicate with the kids you can email them.