Both parents have a responsibility to financially support their children. The parent with the primary residence of the child is entitled to receive child support from the non-custodial parent, subject to certain exceptions. Child support is payable to cover the child’s expenses including food, shelter, and basic necessities.

The amount of child support to be paid in Ontario is set out under the Child Support Guidelines. Under the Guidelines, child support payments are based on the income of the parent with whom the child does not primarily reside.

Other expenses such as child-care, health care, post-secondary education, and extracurricular activities are to be shared by the parents in proportion to their respective incomes. These are called special or extraordinary expenses.

We can guide you in relation to your rights and obligations concerning child support and help you obtain the best possible support arrangement for your child.