In Ontario, children have the right to financial support from both of their parents. Child support is the amount of money that one parent pays to the other parent to help pay for the basic costs of caring for the child after separation or a divorce.
Child support is a child’s right, and they are entitled to it by law. Judges may refuse to grant a divorce if they are not satisfied that reasonable arrangements have been made for the continued financial support of the children.
The parent who has the children most of the time will receive child support. The parent who does not have the children most of the time is the one who will pay support. The amount of child support payable is based on the payor parent’s gross annual income (before taxes and deductions), how many children you have, the parenting time schedule, and the needs of the child.
Child support is calculated using the Child Support Guidelines which are a set of rules and tables that lists the amount to be paid by the paying parent based on the above factors.
In addition to paying child support, parents often contribute toward their children’s reasonable and necessary special and extraordinary expenses. These expenses may include childcare fees such as daycare expenses, uninsured medical and dental expenses, extracurricular activities, educational programs, and expenses for post-secondary education. These expenses are usually shared by both parents in proportion to their respective incomes.