Italy's top court said Thursday that children involved in a divorce must receive cell phones as part of maintenance payments.

The Italian news agency ANSA reported that, according to a Cassation Court ruling, divorced parents will be required to buy their children cell phones to use as daily forms of communication.

The court's ruling came from a case involving a 51-year-old divorced father identified only as M.D.

The father had been accused of avoiding payments to his ex-wife, Luise, regarded as maintenance payments for necessary supplies for his son, Lorenzo.

The court ruled that maintenance payments should extend beyond mere lodging and food, but should also include cell phone services and similar daily services.

ANSA said the court ordered M.D. to pay more than $13,300 in missing maintenance payments during the last four years.