Child Support in Saskatchewan
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 to Do If the Other Parent in Canada Refuses to Pay 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 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 Saskatchewan differs from federal law
Child support in Saskatchewan is calculated using the federal Child Support Guidelines, and The Family Maintenance Act, 1997, SS 1997, c. F-6.2, applies the same guidelines.
- Child support is based primarily on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. The federal tables set the base amount.
- On top of the base amount, parents share special or extraordinary expenses (section 7 expenses) in proportion to their incomes — covering childcare, health expenses, extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education.
- In shared parenting arrangements (where each parent has the child at least 40% of the time), the support amount is adjusted.
- Child support generally continues until the child is 18, but can extend beyond 18 if the child is unable to withdraw from parental charge due to illness, disability, or full-time education.
- Saskatchewan's Maintenance Enforcement Office (MEO) enforces support orders by garnishing wages, intercepting tax refunds, suspending drivers' licences and passports, and reporting to credit agencies.
Additional Steps in Saskatchewan
File for child support at the Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench. If you have an existing order that needs to change, apply to the court to vary the order. Saskatchewan's Maintenance Enforcement Office at 306-787-0962 or 1-866-229-9571 can enforce orders. Free child support calculation tools are available at justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/child-enfant/cst-orpe.html.
Relevant Law: Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.), ss. 15.1–15.3; Federal Child Support Guidelines, SOR/97-175; The Family Maintenance Act, 1997, SS 1997, c. F-6.2
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 if my ex-partner in Canada is not paying court-ordered 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.
Child Support in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.