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The legal framework for child support in Canada ensures children are financially supported by both parents after a separation or divorce. It is not optional, and it is not a favour — it is the child’s legal right.

This page explains what child support is, who pays, how it’s calculated under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, what online calculators can and cannot do, how to change or enforce a support order, and when child support ends. It covers shared parenting arrangements, the relationship between child support and spousal support, and the emotional realities on both sides.

Everything here is written from a neutral, Canada-wide perspective and applies to married, divorced, and common-law parents alike. Where provincial differences matter, we note them and link to the relevant resources.

What is child support in Canada?

Legal definition & key principle

Monthly child support is money paid by one parent to the other to meet a child’s day-to-day financial needs — housing, food, clothing, and basic education costs. It is the legal right of the child, not the parent receiving it. This distinction matters: child support exists to protect children, not to reward or punish either parent.

Every parent has a child support obligation regardless of the parents’ relationship status, whether the paying parent sees the child, or whether that parent lives in another province or country. Under Canadian family law, this obligation is ongoing and enforceable.

Source: Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta – Rules About Child Support

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador Supreme Court – Child Support

Who pays whom

Biological and adoptive parents are legally required to provide financial support for their children. In some circumstances, a step-parent who acted “in place of a parent” may also carry a support obligation.

Support is usually paid by the parent with less parenting time to the parent with more. In shared custody arrangements where each parent has the child at least 40% of the time, the higher-income parent may need to pay an offset amount to the lower-income parent. In rare situations, a court may order payment directly to an adult child.

Whether the case is governed by the Divorce Act (for married spouses) or provincial family law such as Ontario’s Family Law Act (for common-law and separated couples), the amounts are set by the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

Source: Justice Canada – Fact Sheet: Child Support

Child support vs parenting time

Child support and parenting time are completely independent legal rights. You cannot stop paying support because you are not seeing your child. You cannot deny parenting time because support is not being paid. Each has its own separate enforcement process.

Using one as a bargaining tool for the other is not only legally ineffective, but also causes real harm to children, who experience guilt and confusion when caught between their parents’ disputes.

 

How child support is calculated in Canada

The federal child support guidelines

The Federal Child Support Guidelines (FCSG)  are federal regulations that set child support amounts for parents across Canada. Table amounts are based on three factors: the payor’s gross annual income, the number of children, and the province or territory where the payor lives. Updated tables took effect October 1, 2025, reflecting 2023 tax rules.

The Guidelines apply whether the parents were married or common-law, and whether the case goes through court or is settled by agreement.

Source: Justice Canada – 2025 Child Support Table Look-Up

Step-by-step basic child support calculation

1

Determine guideline income

Start with line 15000 (Total Income) on the payor’s T1 tax return — gross income before taxes. This includes employment income, self-employment income, investment income, pension income, and Employment Insurance benefits. Some adjustments may apply under Schedule III of the Guidelines — for instance, child support paid for other children, or spousal support paid, may be deducted.

Source: Justice Canada – Step-by-Step Guide, Step 5: Determine Income


2

Look up the table amount

Find the payor’s province, their income row (tables are set in $100 increments), and the column for the number of children. That intersection is the monthly basic child support amount. For example, under the 2025 Ontario tables: a payor earning $60,000 with two children pays $892 per month. A payor earning $100,000 with two children pays $1,416 per month.

Source: Separation.ca – Calculating Child Support


3

Add Section 7 (special or extraordinary) expenses, if applicable

Section 7 expenses cover costs beyond the day-to-day needs included in the table amount. Common examples include childcare required for work or school, uninsured medical and dental costs (orthodontics, therapy, prescriptions), health insurance premiums for the children, special educational needs, post-secondary tuition and residence fees, and extraordinary extracurricular activities.

The guiding principle is that these expenses are shared in proportion to each parent’s income — not automatically 50/50. 

Example

If Parent A earns $75,000 and Parent B earns $25,000, the combined income is $100,000. Parent A covers 75% of each qualifying expense; Parent B covers 25%.

However, the parties may agree on different arrangements, for example different percentage divisions, or each party paying for specific expenses.

Source: Justice Canada – Federal Child Support Guidelines (Full Regulation)


4

Special rules & imputed income

High incomes (over $150,000). When a payor earns more than $150,000, two approaches apply. The most common: use the table amount for the first $150,000, then add the percentage listed in the tables for income above that threshold. For example, a parent earning $200,000 with two children would pay the table amount for $150,000 ($2,012/month) plus 1.56% on the additional $50,000 ($780/month), for a total of roughly $2,792 per month. Alternatively, the court may set a different amount for income above $150,000 based on the child’s actual needs.

The court has discretion to deviate from this guideline, however, incomes will typically need to be a lot higher than $150,000 for the court to deviate. Very low incomes. Where a payor’s income falls below approximately $20,000, child support may be reduced or set at zero, depending on the circumstances.

Imputed income. Courts can assign a parent an income amount that is different from their reported income, when it does not fairly reflect their ability to pay child support. For example, this happens when a parent is intentionally under-employed, hiding income, working informally, keeping earnings inside a company to lower personal income, or failing to provide required financial information. The court considers what the parent could and should reasonably be earning based on their age, education, health, and work history.

Source: Crossroads Law – Imputing Income to the Intentionally Underemployed

Source: DS Family Law – How Is Income Imputed for Child Support?


Shared parenting (50/50) & child support

When a child spends at least 40% of the time with each parent — roughly 146 or more days per year — this is considered shared custody under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

Many parents assume that equal parenting time means no child support. That is not how it works.

In shared parenting situations, child support is calculated using an offset method. Each parent’s table amount is calculated as if they were the sole payor. The higher table amount is subtracted from the lower, and the higher-income parent pays the difference to the other.

Example
Parent A earns $100,000 and Parent B earns $55,000. They share parenting of two children equally. Parent A’s table amount (as if they were the sole payor) is $1,522 per month. Parent B’s is $854 per month. The offset is $1,522 minus $854 — Parent A pays Parent B $668 per month.

Courts may also look beyond the straight offset and consider the increased costs of maintaining two full households, the standard of living in each home, and the overall needs of the children. This is known as the Contino analysis.

The key point: 50/50 does not mean zero child support. The offset method recognizes that when there is an income gap between parents, children should benefit from both incomes, even when they spend equal time in each home.

Source: Canadian Bar Association – Shared Care and Child Support

Child support calculators – role & limits

Official & private calculators

Several tools exist to help parents estimate child support amounts. The official Justice Canada table look-up tool allows you to find the base table amount for any province based on income and number of children. It is reliable for that purpose, but it does not calculate shared custody offsets, Section 7 expense splits, or handle complex income situations.

Reputable private calculators offer more features MySupportCalculator handles both child and spousal support and calculates shared custody offsets. For legal professionals, ChildView and DivorceMate are subscription tools that covers retroactive calculations, multiple tax years, and court forms.

Source: Justice Canada – Child Support Table Look-Up

How to use a child support calculator

Use calculators as starting points, not as final answers. They produce estimates — not formal orders and not legal advice.

Calculators cannot determine whether income should be imputed, whether a specific expense qualifies under Section 7, or how a court would exercise discretion for high-income situations. They also simplify income in ways that can be misleading. For example, they may not correctly account for self-employment income taxed at different effective rates.

Always cross-check calculator results if you have shared parenting arrangements, self-employment or variable income, a child in post-secondary education, or any situation involving undue hardship. Before relying on a calculator’s output in any agreement or court application, get professional legal advice.

When child support starts & when it ends

When it starts

Child support can begin informally when parents separate, with the arrangement later formalized in a written agreement or court order. It can also begin on the date of an interim or temporary court order, or on a date agreed to by both parents.

Courts can also backdate support — sometimes by several years — based on delay in requesting support, the payor’s conduct (such as hiding income or avoiding the obligation), or the child’s circumstances. Payors have a positive duty to increase child support payments when their income rises. Failure to do so can result in a retroactive order.

Source: Justice Canada – Retroactive Child Support

When it ends

The age of majority is 18 in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and PEI, and 19 in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut. But child support does not automatically stop then. Support may continue if the child is in full-time post-secondary education (often into the early to mid-20s), has an illness or disability preventing independence, or has another recognized cause of dependency (courts interpret this narrowly).

This is one of the most common misunderstandings in child support. A payor can’t simply stop paying when their child turns 18 but must take formal steps to end support, e.g. with a new agreement or a court order. Simply stopping child support payment creates arrears that enforcement agencies will collect, potentially with interest.

Source: Manitoba Government – Child Support

Modifying Child Support

Either parent can apply to change a child support order or agreement when there has been a material change in circumstances since the order was made.

What counts as a material change

A material change is one that is significant, was not reasonably foreseen at the time of the original order, is more than temporary, and would likely have affected the original decision.

Common examples include a major job loss or income reduction, a significant increase in the payor’s income, a serious health issue or disability, a change in parenting arrangements (such as the child moving between households), or a child starting or finishing post-secondary studies.

The updated child support tables effective October 1, 2025 may themselves constitute a material change if the resulting amount differs from the current order.

How to change child support

If both parents agree on a new amount, they can draft a consent agreement and file it with the court. If only income has changed, some provinces offer a recalculation service that adjusts support without requiring a court appearance. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland, and Ontario all have some form of this service.
If there is a dispute, the parent seeking the change files a Motion to Change with the court. The other parent has the opportunity to respond, and a judge makes the final decision.

Never adjust payments informally. If the original order says $1,200/month and you pay $800 based on a verbal agreement, the $400 difference accumulates as arrears under the original order. Those arrears are enforceable, even if the other parent initially agreed to the reduction.

Source: Justice Canada – Changing a Child Support Order

What happens when child support is not paid

Maintenance enforcement programs

Every Canadian province and territory has a Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP), a government agency that monitors and enforces child support orders and agreements. In Ontario, this is the Family Responsibility Office (FRO); Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia each operate a MEP; British Columbia has the BC Family Maintenance Agency. These child support services are free for recipients.

Registration with the MEP is strongly recommended for recipients. In some provinces and in certain circumstances, it is mandatory.

When a payor misses payments, the MEP can act quickly and with significant powers. Enforcement tools include wage garnishment (directly from the payor’s employer), seizure of bank accounts and investment accounts, interception of federal payments including income tax refunds and EI benefits, suspension of driver’s licences and passports, and referral for contempt of court proceedings.

The message for payors: enforcement is real, it is centralized, and it works across provinces. Non-payment does not go unnoticed.

Note that enforcement agencies will only enforce formal agreements or court orders. They won't enforce changes made in informal agreements between the parties.

Source: Justice Canada – Child Support: Enforcement

Arrears

Arrears are past-due support payments that remain unpaid. There is generally no limitation period on collecting child support arrears in Canada — they can be pursued years or decades later. Interest may accumulate depending on the province.

For payors with arrears: contact the MEP early, before enforcement escalates. Courts can set up a voluntary arrears payment plan. Courts will rarely reduce or forgive arrears unless the payor can demonstrate a near-permanent inability to pay, backed by strong evidence.

For recipients: register your order or agreement with the MEP as soon as payments are missed. Request account statements. Use a Statement of Arrears to confirm the amount owed if you are pursuing collection.

Common myths & misconceptions

Here are some common misconceptions where it comes to child support:

“If I don’t see my kids, I don’t have to pay."

False. The obligation to pay child support exists independently of parenting time. A payor who is denied access still owes support. The appropriate response to a parenting time dispute is a motion to the court — not withholding payments.

“50/50 custody means no child support.”

False. In shared parenting, an offset amount is still payable by the higher-income parent. See the Shared Parenting section above for how this works.

“My new partner’s income counts toward child support.”

False. Child support is calculated based on the payor’s income only. A new spouse or partner’s income is not included in the table calculation. Very limited exceptions may apply in undue hardship claims.

“Child support automatically ends at 18.”

False. Support continues if the child remains dependent — most commonly because they are in full-time post-secondary education. The payor must obtain a formal agreement or court order to end or reduce support.

“We can agree to any amount we want.”

Not freely. Parents can agree on support, but a court will not approve an amount below the Guidelines unless there are special provisions that clearly benefit the child, and the judge must provide written reasons.

“I can quit my job to avoid paying higher support.”

Courts can impute income to a parent who is intentionally under-employed or unemployed without a valid reason. The obligation is based on what you are capable of earning, not just what you choose to earn.

Relationship between child support & spousal support

By law, child support always comes first. Spousal support is only considered after the payor’s child support obligation is met. If there are insufficient funds to cover both, spousal support is reduced or eliminated, not child support.

The interaction works in three steps:

  1. Child support is calculated on the payor’s full gross income.
  2. Net disposable income is determined after child support and taxes.
  3. Spousal support ranges under the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines are calculated from that reduced income.

There is also a tax difference: child support payments are neither deductible for the payor nor taxable income for the recipient. Spousal support (when paid monthly pursuant to a court order or written agreement) is typically deductible for the payor and taxable for the recipient.

The practical result: in many mid- to lower-income families, child support consumes most available support capacity, leaving little or no room for spousal support. When child support ends — for example, when the youngest child finishes school — the spousal support calculation may be revisited.

Emotional & practical realities

Child support triggers strong emotions on both sides, and that’s understandable. Payors often feel fear of financial collapse, resentment, a sense of powerlessness, or frustration that 50/50 parenting time doesn’t translate into zero financial obligation. Recipients often feel anxiety that their children’s basic needs won’t be met, frustration at slow enforcement, and sometimes fear that pushing for compliance will cause conflict.

Both sets of feelings are real. But child support is not a punishment for payors, and it is not a reward for recipients. It is a legal structure designed to ensure that children have access to the financial resources of both parents — regardless of what the relationship between the adults looks like.

A few practical things that help:

  • Setting up automatic transfers reduces the emotional friction of monthly payments.
  • Keeping financial communication separate from parenting communication protects children from being caught in the middle.
  • Documenting all payments and changes in writing protects both parties if disputes arise later.

If you’re finding it hard to stay focused on the child’s needs rather than the conflict, that’s normal — and it’s also worth getting support, whether from a family mediator, a therapist, or a parenting coordinator.

Practical tools & set-up steps

Documents you will need

To calculate child support accurately, both parents typically need to gather the following financial documents:

  • Last three years of income tax returns and Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency
  • Recent pay stubs (usually the most recent two to three months)
  • Business financial statements for self-employed parents (T1 general with all schedules, and corporate returns if applicable)
  • Proof of EI benefits, pension income, investment income, or government benefits
  • Records of Employment (ROE) if income has recently changed
  • Receipts and estimates for any Section 7 expenses being claimed

How to set up child support

There are three main paths to formalizing child support:

1. Out-of-court agreement.

Both parents gather financial information, negotiate an amount, draft a written agreement, ideally each receive independent legal advice, then file the agreement with the court and register it with the provincial Maintenance Enforcement Program.

2. Court order.

One parent files an application, serves the other parent, who has an opportunity to respond. The court may hold conferences, and if there is no agreement, a judge decides after a hearing.

3. Recalculation service.

If you already have an order and only the payor’s income has changed, several provinces (BC, AB, SK, MB, NL, and ON) offer a recalculation service that adjusts support without requiring a court appearance.

Red flags that signal you should get legal help before proceeding: hidden or complex income, requests to impute income, retroactive claims, significant arrears, or any situation involving contempt of court.

Authoritative Canadian resources

The following sources provide reliable, up-to-date information on child support in Canada:

Justice Canada — The federal hub for child support information, including the Federal Child Support Guidelines, the 2025 child support tables, and the official table look-up calculator: justice.gc.ca/child-enfant

Canada Revenue Agency — Tax information on support payments, including how child and spousal support are treated for tax purposes: canada.ca/support-payments

Provincial enforcement and child support pages: 

MySupportCalculator – Free calculator for child and spousal support, including shared custody offsets

Public legal education:

Considering your next steps

If you are navigating child support as part of a separation or divorce, you do not have to work through it alone, and you do not have to go to court. Mediation can help both parents reach a fair, child-focused agreement with the guidance of a neutral professional, faster and at lower cost than a hiring lawyers.

How Divorce Mediation Works Book a Free Introduction Meeting

Frequently asked questions

At Fairway, we understand that facing a divorce is daunting, bringing mixed emotions and many questions. We are committed to ensuring that you have the knowledge and tools to move through the process in a way that protects your assets and your children.
See All Frequently Asked Questions

Child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The payor’s gross annual income, the number of children, and the province where the payor lives determine the monthly table amount. Section 7 (special or extraordinary) expenses are added on top and shared proportionally to each parent’s income.

Enter the payor’s gross income, the number of children, and the province. For shared custody, enter both parents’ incomes to calculate the offset. Treat the result as an estimate only — not as a court order or legal advice. Always verify with a lawyer before using a calculator’s output in an agreement.

Yes. Shared parenting does not eliminate child support. Each parent’s table amount is calculated, and the higher-income parent pays the difference to the lower-income parent using the offset method.

Child support is the child’s legal right. A court will only approve an amount below the table amount if there are special provisions that clearly benefit the child, and the judge must provide written reasons for departing from the Guidelines.

Register your order with your provincial Maintenance Enforcement Program as soon as payments are missed. MEPs can garnish wages, seize bank accounts and tax refunds, suspend licences, and pursue contempt proceedings. Contact them early — do not wait.

If both parents agree, draft a consent agreement and file it with the court. If only income has changed, consider using a provincial recalculation service (available in BC, AB, SK, MB, NL, and ON). If there is a dispute, file a Motion to Change. Never adjust payments informally — arrears will accumulate based on the original order.

Child support does not end automatically at 18 or 19. It continues if the child is still dependent — typically because they are in full-time post-secondary education or have a disability. The payor must obtain a formal agreement or court order to end support. Stopping unilaterally creates arrears.

No. Child support is based on the payor’s income only. A new spouse or partner’s income is not included in the table calculation. Very limited exceptions may apply in undue hardship claims.

No. It is the child’s legal right, not the parent’s to waive. Courts will not approve agreements that eliminate child support unless there are exceptional circumstances that clearly benefit the child.

At minimum: three years of tax returns and Notices of Assessment from CRA, recent pay stubs, and receipts for any Section 7 expenses. Self-employed parents also need business financial statements. A complete financial statement may be required for court applications.