Child Support in Ontario
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Both parents are financially responsible for their children. The Federal Child Support Guidelines set standard amounts based on the paying parent's income and the number of children.
The child support tables are updated periodically by the Department of Justice — always check for the latest version at justice.gc.ca. On top of the table amount, parents share special or extraordinary expenses (section 7) — such as daycare, medical costs, education, and extracurricular activities — in proportion to their incomes.
Child support is considered a right of the child, not of the other parent. It cannot be waived in an agreement. It continues until the child turns 18, or longer if the child is still dependent (for example, attending school full-time or living with a disability).
If the paying parent earns under $16,000 per year, there is no table obligation.
When does it apply?
Child support applies when:
- Parents separate or divorce and have children under 18 (or older if still dependent).
- It applies to both married and common-law parents.
- The paying parent is usually the one with less parenting time.
What should you do?
- Look up the table amount at justice.gc.ca using your income and number of children.
- Identify section 7 expenses — daycare, medical, education, extracurriculars — and calculate each parent's share.
- Provide full financial disclosure — tax returns, pay stubs, and notices of assessment.
- Formalize the amount in a written agreement or court order.
- Review and update the amount whenever income changes significantly.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't stop paying without a court order — even if you are being denied parenting time. Support and parenting time are separate legal issues.
- Don't hide income — the court can impute (assign) income based on your earning capacity.
- Don't agree to waive child support — any agreement that does so is unenforceable.
- Don't assume support ends at 18 — it continues if the child is still a dependent.
- Don't pay informally without keeping records — you need proof of every payment.
How Ontario differs from federal law
Child support in Ontario follows the federal Child Support Guidelines (for divorcing spouses) and the Ontario Child Support Guidelines (O. Reg. 391/97, for unmarried parents). The tables and calculations are the same.
- Child support is based on the paying parent's gross income and the number of children. The Federal Child Support Guidelines tables set specific monthly amounts — there is little discretion.
- In addition to table amounts, parents share special or extraordinary expenses (section 7 expenses) in proportion to their incomes. These include childcare, health insurance premiums, medical/dental expenses beyond coverage, extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education costs.
- Ontario's Family Responsibility Office (FRO) enforces child support orders. All Ontario support orders are automatically filed with the FRO unless both parties opt out. The FRO can garnish wages, suspend drivers' licences and passports, and report to credit bureaus.
- Child support generally continues until the child turns 18, but extends beyond 18 if the child is unable to become self-supporting due to illness, disability, or pursuing full-time education.
- Either parent can apply to vary (change) the support amount if there has been a material change in circumstances (e.g., significant income change, change in parenting arrangement).
Additional Steps in Ontario
Use the federal Child Support Table Look-up (justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/child-enfant/cst-orfc.html) to estimate the amount. If the other parent will not pay voluntarily, get a court order and the Family Responsibility Office will enforce it. Contact the FRO at 1-888-815-2757 for enforcement questions. If you need to change the amount, file a motion to vary in the court that made the original order.
Relevant Law: Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.), ss. 15.1–15.3; Federal Child Support Guidelines, SOR/97-175; Family Law Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.3, ss. 31–40; Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 31
Common Questions
When does child support apply?
Child support applies when:Parents separate or divorce and have children under 18 (or older if still dependent).It applies to both married and common-law parents.The paying parent is usually the one with less parenting time.
What should I do about child support?
Look up the table amount at justice.gc.ca using your income and number of children.Identify section 7 expenses — daycare, medical, education, extracurriculars — and calculate each parent's share.Provide full financial disclosure — tax returns, pay stubs, and notices of assessment.Formalize the amount in a written agreement or court order.Review and update the amount whenever income changes significantly.
What mistakes should I avoid with child support?
Don't stop paying without a court order — even if you are being denied parenting time. Support and parenting time are separate legal issues.Don't hide income — the court can impute (assign) income based on your earning capacity.Don't agree to waive child support — any agreement that does so is unenforceable.Don't assume support ends at 18 — it continues if the child is still a dependent.Don't pay informally without keeping records — you need proof of every payment.
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