CHILD SUPPORT: The Who, What’s, and Where’s

The law requires all parents to financially support their dependent children. Children are “Dependent” until the age of 18 years or sometimes older in extra-ordinary such as post-secondary education. The parent of the child can include the birth parent, a non-birth parent, an adoptive parent or even a step-parent. Therefore, potentially any person having parental status must support their children.

The Paying Parent

The parent paying the child support is the “Payor Parent”. This payor is usually the parent who   the child does not live the most with. Sometimes, both parents spend an equal amount of time with the child. In that case, the payor will be the parent with the higher income.

What Is Child Support Based On?

The parents will pay child support based on the provincial Child Support Guidelines and the Government of Canada’s Child support tables to calculate the amount of child support.  You cannot negotiate child support as it is considered to be a right of the child and not the parents.

Factors Determining Child Support

 Child support  amount is determined based on the gross annual income of the paying parent and the number of dependent children involved. The table is formulated uniquely for each province and territory. 

The child support may vary depending on special circumstances. These can include the type of custody (either shared or split custody), living arrangements, extra expenses such day care and support for children with special needs above the age of 18 years. The unique financial conditions of the paying may also parent play an active role in determining child support.

Sometimes, the paying parent may have to pay child support retroactively back to the date of separation or from the date of Court order. Child support money is vital to cover the cost of caring for your child.

Picture of Simonetta Lanzi

Simonetta Lanzi

Family Lawyer Ajax, ON

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