How is child support calculated in Ontario?
If you’re going through a separation or divorce in Ontario, one of the biggest questions you might have is: “How do we handle child support?”
It’s a stressful time, and between managing your own emotions and trying to protect your children from conflict, figuring out the financial side of things can feel overwhelming. The good news? You’re not alone, and there are clear rules in place to guide you.
Child Support Is the Right of the Child
In Ontario, both parents are legally responsible for financially supporting their children—even after a separation or divorce (and even if the parents never lived together). Child support is not about one parent giving money to the other; it’s about ensuring that your children continue to benefit from both of your incomes, just like they did before the split.
The Step-by-Step Approach
The Federal Child Support Guidelines (which apply to divorcing couples in Ontario) offer a clear, step-by-step process to figure out what support should look like. Here’s a quick overview:
Figure out which guidelines apply. If you're legally married and divorcing, the federal rules apply. If you were never married or not divorcing, Ontario’s guidelines apply—but they’re very similar to the federal ones.
Determine how many children need support. This usually includes any child under 18, and sometimes older children who are still in school or can’t support themselves due to illness or disability.
Look at parenting time. Whether your kids live mostly with one parent, go back and forth equally, or are split between homes, this affects how much support is paid and by whom.
Use the right child support table. These tables show how much support is owed based on the paying parent’s income and number of children. In Ontario, we use the federal tables.
Calculate income. This step can be easy—or complicated if you're self-employed, have fluctuating income, or live outside Canada. Make sure your numbers are accurate and up to date.
Find the base support amount. This is the amount shown in the tables, before adding in extras.
Add special or extraordinary expenses. Things like daycare, braces, tutoring, or extracurriculars can be added on top.
Consider undue hardship. In rare cases, the calculated amount might be unfair—say, if one parent is supporting a child from another relationship or has unusually high expenses.
Tools & Support Available in Ontario
The federal government offers free online tools to help calculate child support, including the Child Support Calculator. Ontario also has family court services, mediation programs, and legal aid resources to support parents at every step.
If you already have a court order or written agreement, Ontario’s Family Responsibility Office (FRO) can enforce payments, making sure support gets where it’s supposed to go. If circumstances change—like income, parenting time, or expenses—you may need to formally change the agreement or court order.
Final Thoughts
Child support is about fairness and stability for your kids. It might feel like just another thing to deal with in a tough situation, but understanding your rights and responsibilities makes the process much more manageable—and helps you avoid unnecessary stress down the road.
If you’re unsure how to move forward, contact us to speak with one of our family lawyers. We’ll help you make confident, informed decisions.
You’ve got this—and your kids are counting on you.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every family law situation is different. Contact a family lawyer to get advice that fits your specific case.