Child Support — Ontario
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 — that's the foundational principle. The Federal Child Support Guidelines turn it into numbers: standard amounts based on the payer's income and the number of children.
The tables get refreshed by the Department of Justice periodically — always check the current version at justice.gc.ca. On top of the table amount, parents share section 7 expenses — daycare, medical costs, education, extracurriculars — in proportion to their incomes.
The single most important legal point about child support: it is the child's right, not the other parent's. It cannot be waived by agreement. A "we agreed to no support" clause has no legal effect, full stop. Support continues until the child turns 18, or longer if the child remains dependent — full-time post-secondary, or living with a disability.
One narrow carve-out: if the payer earns under $16,000 per year, there's no table obligation.
When does it apply?
Child support kicks in when:
- Parents separate or divorce and have children under 18 (or older but dependent).
- The rule covers married and common-law parents alike.
- The payer is usually the parent with less parenting time.
What to Do If the Other Parent in Canada Refuses to Pay Child Support
- Pull the table amount at justice.gc.ca using your income and number of children.
- Identify section 7 expenses and split them by income share.
- Exchange full financial disclosure — tax returns, pay stubs, notices of assessment.
- Lock the amount in a written agreement or court order. Verbal arrangements unravel.
- Review whenever income changes materially. Both sides have skin in keeping the number current.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't stop paying without a court order — even if you're being denied parenting time. The two are legally separate, and self-help loses.
- Don't hide income. Courts can impute income based on capacity, and they're getting better at it.
- Don't try to waive support. The waiver isn't enforceable.
- Don't assume support ends at 18. It continues for full-time students and dependent adults.
- Don't pay informally without records. Proof of every payment matters; cash without receipts is the same as not paying.
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
What is the child support right in Canada?
Both parents are financially responsible for their children — that's the foundational principle. The Federal Child Support Guidelines turn it into numbers: standard amounts based on the payer's income and the number of children.The tables get refreshed by the Department of Justice periodically — always check the current version at justice.gc.ca. On top of the table amount, parents share section 7 expenses — daycare, medical costs, education, extracurriculars — in proportion to their incomes.The single most important legal point about child support: it is the child's right, not the other parent...
When does child support apply?
Child support kicks in when:Parents separate or divorce and have children under 18 (or older but dependent).The rule covers married and common-law parents alike.The payer is usually the parent with less parenting time.
What should I do if my ex-partner in Canada is not paying court-ordered child support?
Pull the table amount at justice.gc.ca using your income and number of children.Identify section 7 expenses and split them by income share.Exchange full financial disclosure — tax returns, pay stubs, notices of assessment.Lock the amount in a written agreement or court order. Verbal arrangements unravel.Review whenever income changes materially. Both sides have skin in keeping the number current.
What mistakes should I avoid with child support?
Don't stop paying without a court order — even if you're being denied parenting time. The two are legally separate, and self-help loses.Don't hide income. Courts can impute income based on capacity, and they're getting better at it.Don't try to waive support. The waiver isn't enforceable.Don't assume support ends at 18. It continues for full-time students and dependent adults.Don't pay informally without records. Proof of every payment matters; cash without receipts is the same as not paying.
Child Support in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.