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Child Support

Every parent has an obligation to support their child(ren). In order to provide uniformity in the determination of the quantum (or amount) of support owing, the Child Support Guidelines were created.
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Child Support: Table Child Support

As stated within the legislation, the objectives of the Child Support Guidelines are:

  • To establish a fair standard of support for children that ensures that they continue to benefit from the financial means of both parents after separation;
  • To reduce conflict and tension between parents by making the calculation of child support orders more objective;
  • To improve the efficiency of the legal process by giving courts and parents guidance in setting the levels of child support orders and encouraging settlement; and
  • To ensure consistent treatment of parents and children who are in similar circumstances.

As such, the factors considered when determining the amount of child support are dependent upon:

  • The parenting schedule (or residency arrangements of the children);
  • The number of children; and
  • The income of the party (or both parties where there is a shared parenting schedule).

Special and/or Extraordinary Expenses (Section 7 Expenses)

In addition to the Table Amount of child support, parents may be responsible for contributing towards a child’s special and/or extraordinary expense.  That is, a parent may be obligated to contribute towards a child’s:

  • Child care expenses as a result of the custodial parent’s employment, illness, disability or education or training for employment;
  • The portion of the medical and dental insurance premiums attributable to the child;
  • Health-related expenses that exceed insurance reimbursement by at least $100 annually;
  • Extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary school education or for any other educational programs that meet the child’s particular needs;
  • Expenses for post-secondary education; and
  • Extraordinary expenses for extracurricular activities (i.e. hockey, dance, tutoring, music lessons, etc.)

The child’s special and/or extraordinary expense is typically shared between parents on a pro-rata basis.  That is, parent share the amount of a child’s special and/or extraordinary expenses in proportion to their incomes.