Family Law Blog

In Canada, child support is guided by federal and provincial laws. For married couples, the Divorce Act applies, while the Family Law Act governs support for unmarried couples.

The objectives of the Federal Child Support Guidelines (the “FCSGs”) are not to maximize or minimize child support, but rather to ensure children receive the financial support they are entitled to after their parents separate.

In Canada, parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children, even after a divorce or separation.

As family lawyers, we sometimes encounter questions about the impact of bankruptcy on child support, spousal support, and cost awards in family law matters.

In many ways, the Federal Child Support Guidelines have simplified the determination of monthly child support payments and the proportion of extraordinary expenses each parent is responsible for paying.

Child support ends when a child reaches the age of majority (which is 19 years old in British Columbia). This is the case unless the child, in the words of section 2 of the Divorce Act, is unable to withdraw from the care of their parents or obtain the necessaries of life.

In Alberta, child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Under these guidelines, a parent's income may be imputed (or assigned) if they are not working or are working below their full earning capacity.

Many people are making a career change these days and you or your former spouse may decide to take a new job that leads to a significant decrease in income. How does this lower paying job affect child support payments?

There are two main categories of child support in Canada under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

At Crossroads Law, we often receive inquiries from parents owed child support and wanting help to ensure child support is paid. Generally, the first step is to register the Court Order with the Maintenance Enforcement Program (“MEP”).