What You Need to Know About Child Support
Learn about the legal meaning of Child Support
Table of Contents
Child Support
When parents separate or divorce, child support ensures that children continue to receive the financial support they need to grow and thrive. In Ontario, both parents have a legal obligation to support their children, whether or not they were ever married.
How Child Support Works :
Child support is generally paid by the parent with less parenting time to the parent with primary or majority care of the child. The amount is based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which consider:
- The paying parent’s income
- The number of children
- The parenting arrangement (e.g., shared or sole parenting)
What Does Child Support Cover?
Basic child support covers essential day-to-day expenses like:
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Basic education and health needs
In addition, section 7 (special or extraordinary) expenses may be shared between parents proportionate to their income. These can include:
- Childcare
- Medical and dental costs not covered by insurance
- Educational expenses (e.g., tutoring)
- Extracurricular activities (e.g., sports, music lessons)
Changing or Enforcing Support
Child support amounts may be reviewed and adjusted if there is a significant change in income or parenting arrangements. If support is not being paid, enforcement can be pursued through Ontario’s Family Responsibility Office (FRO).
Get Legal Help Today.
Protecting Your Child’s Right to Support
As a family lawyer, I can help ensure that your child receives the financial support they are entitled to — whether you’re seeking, challenging, or modifying a support order. I provide clarity on your legal rights and responsibilities and advocate for fair and enforceable support arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that the process can be confusing and you may have many questions.
Below are some common FAQs that can help guide you.
The parent who spends less time with the child (often called the non-custodial or access parent) is usually required to pay child support to the parent with primary care. Both parents, however, share the financial responsibility of raising the child.
Child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which are based on the paying parent’s gross annual income and the number of children. The guidelines provide a table amount for monthly payments.
The basic amount covers regular living expenses such as food, clothing, and housing. Parents may also share special or extraordinary expenses (called section 7 expenses), which include:
- Childcare
- Health and dental costs not covered by insurance
- Educational and extracurricular expenses
In shared parenting arrangements, where each parent has the child at least 40% of the time, support is still payable. The court may use a set-off approach, comparing both parents’ guideline amounts based on income and ordering the difference to be paid by the higher-income parent.
Yes. Child support can be reviewed or varied if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in income, parenting arrangements, or the child’s needs.
Unpaid child support can be enforced through Ontario’s Family Responsibility Office (FRO), which can garnish wages, suspend driver’s licences, intercept tax refunds, and take other enforcement actions.
Not necessarily. You can agree to child support through negotiation, mediation, or a separation agreement. If there is no agreement, a court order may be necessary to formalize support and make it enforceable.
Book Your Free 10-Minute Consultation Today — Fill Out the Form to Get Started!
Speak directly with a legal professional in a free 10-minute consultation. Get clarity on your situation and understand your options.