Child support
How the table amount and section 7 expenses work under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
Child support follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The amount is not negotiable in the way people expect, because the law treats support as the right of the child, not the parent. Parents cannot bargain it away.
The base amount, called the table amount, is set by two numbers: the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. You look up those numbers in the Ontario table and the figure is fixed. A parent earning $80,000 with two children pays the same table amount as any other parent in that bracket. Where parenting time is shared roughly equally (40 percent or more each), a different calculation applies.
On top of the table amount come section 7 expenses, also called special or extraordinary expenses. These cover things like child care, health costs not covered by insurance, and post-secondary education. Parents share section 7 expenses in proportion to their incomes.
Income is the engine of the whole calculation, which is why honest, complete income disclosure matters so much. A payor who hides income or is deliberately underemployed can have income imputed to them by a judge.
You can estimate both with our free child support calculator and section 7 expenses calculator.
How Ryan helps: Ryan runs the Guideline numbers with you in a free consultation, so you walk in knowing what the table and section 7 actually require.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Ontario?
Child support is set by the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The table amount is based on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. On top of the table amount, parents share section 7 special or extraordinary expenses, such as daycare, braces, and post-secondary costs, in proportion to their incomes.
What happens if my ex hides income to avoid paying child support?
A court can impute income, meaning it assigns a realistic income based on earning capacity, lifestyle, or undisclosed sources, and calculate support on that figure. Judges can also order disclosure, draw negative inferences, and award costs against a parent who hides income. Full financial disclosure is mandatory under the Family Law Rules.
At what age does child support end in Ontario?
Support does not automatically stop at 18. A child remains entitled while under the age of majority and may continue past 18 if enrolled in full-time education or unable to support themselves due to illness or disability. Support for an adult child in school is common but not unlimited.
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