Experienced Child Support Lawyers Serving Toronto and Ontario

Navigating child support in Ontario can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions are high and finances are uncertain. Whether you’re the parent seeking support or the one being asked to pay it, having clear legal guidance ensures that your child’s best interests and your rights are protected.

At Nussbaum Law, our experienced child support lawyers help parents across Toronto and Ontario understand their obligations and entitlements under the Federal Child Support Guidelines. We work with you to determine the appropriate base amounts and special or extraordinary expenses (Section 7), while advocating for fair outcomes that reflect your family’s unique circumstances.

If you’re unsure what child support actually covers, from food and clothing to private school or medical needs, visit our breakdown on what child support covers in Ontario for clarity and next steps.

Let us help you move forward with confidence. Our goal is simple: to protect your child’s future while ensuring that your financial responsibilities are clear, reasonable, and legally sound.

Child support consultation with a family lawyer

Who We Help

At Nussbaum Law, our experienced child support lawyers in Toronto and across Ontario work with clients facing a wide range of family law situations. Whether you are the parent paying support or receiving it, we help you navigate your rights and responsibilities with clarity and confidence.

We can help you if:

You Are Paying Child Support

You want to ensure that your payments are fair, accurate, and based on your real income. We assist with the calculation of base support amounts, help you understand your obligations under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, and advocate for you in disputes over Section 7 or extraordinary expenses.

You Are Receiving Child Support

You want to make sure you’re receiving the financial support your child is entitled to. Our child support lawyers will review your situation, advocate for proper calculations, and ensure any additional costs, such as education or medical needs, are accounted for.

You’re in Conflict Over Child Support Arrangements

Whether your custody agreement has changed or your co-parent is not following the terms, we provide legal strategies to enforce or adjust existing child support orders.

You’re Unsure How Child Support Applies to Your Situation

We help clients understand how parenting time, shared custody, or income fluctuations impact support. If you’re just beginning the process or responding to a claim, we’ll walk you through every step.

No matter what side of the issue you’re on, our goal is to help you reach a fair, legally sound arrangement that protects your child’s needs without compromising your financial future. If you’re searching for trusted child support lawyers in Ontario, we’re here to help.

How We Help With Child Support Cases

Nussbaum Law - Child Support in Toronto

At Nussbaum Law, we provide strategic, compassionate legal guidance to help you navigate child support issues with clarity and confidence. Whether you are paying or receiving support, our team of child support lawyers in Toronto and throughout Ontario ensures that your rights are protected and your child’s well-being is prioritized.

For Parents Paying Child Support

If you are concerned about paying more than you can reasonably afford, we help you push back against unfair calculations. Our team works to ensure your child support payments reflect your actual income, parenting arrangement, and legal entitlements. We also assist with disputes over Section 7 expenses such as extracurricular costs or private education, making sure you are not overpaying beyond what the law requires.

For Parents Receiving Child Support

If you are the primary caregiver, our Toronto divorce lawyers will help you determine and enforce the correct amount of support owed. We take into account custody arrangements, the paying parent’s income, and any additional expenses your child may have. If you are unsure how child support is calculated in your case, we guide you through every step, or you can review our resource on how child support is calculated in Ontario for additional context.

We understand that calculating support, negotiating with a co-parent, or initiating legal proceedings can be emotionally and financially stressful. That is why our approach is always personal, responsive, and results-driven.

Whether you are starting the process or facing an enforcement issue, Nussbaum Law provides the legal support and strategic advocacy you need to move forward.

Watch: What Is Child Support and How Can Nussbaum Law Help You?

A quick overview of how child support works in Ontario and how our lawyers can guide you through it.

How Child Support Works in Ontario

In Ontario, child support is more than just a monthly payment. It is a legal obligation designed to protect a child’s well-being and maintain a stable standard of living after separation or divorce. The law recognizes that both parents share the responsibility of financially supporting their children, whether they live together or apart.

What Determines the Amount of Child Support

The amount of child support a parent must pay is typically based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which consider factors such as:

  • The payor parent’s gross annual income
  • The number of children
  • The parenting time or custody arrangement

You can learn more about the calculation process and how income, custody, and expenses are evaluated in our guide on how child support is calculated in Ontario.

What Is Included in Support Payments

Standard child support covers essentials like food, clothing, school supplies, and housing-related costs. In addition, Section 7 of the Guidelines allows for special or extraordinary expenses, such as:

  • Post-secondary education
  • Medical and dental needs
  • Childcare
  • Enrichment programs or extracurricular activities

These expenses may be shared between parents proportionally to their incomes. For more detail, visit our overview of what child support covers in Ontario.

What If the Situation Is Unique

Not all child support cases follow the standard pattern. For example, parents who are also full-time students may have different obligations. Our team can help clarify your responsibilities, or you can explore this issue in our resource on child support obligations for parent-students.

In cases where the child’s perspective is especially important, the court may involve third-party evaluations like Voice of the Child Reports or the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL), which advocate for the child’s best interests in legal proceedings.

What Happens If a Parent Refuses to Pay

Failing to comply with child support obligations can lead to serious consequences, including enforcement by Ontario’s Family Responsibility Office (FRO). If you are facing non-payment issues, misunderstandings about your obligation, or believe your order is no longer fair, our team can help. You can also review this article on what happens if you do not pay child support to understand your legal risk and available options.

Why Choose Nussbaum Law

When you are dealing with child support issues, you need more than legal information. You need a legal team that listens to your concerns, understands your goals, and builds a strategy designed to protect your rights and your child’s well-being. At Nussbaum Law, we provide clear guidance, compassionate service, and strong legal advocacy.

Family Law Is What We Do

Our practice is focused entirely on family law. This means every lawyer on our team is deeply familiar with the challenges surrounding child support, parenting time, and financial disclosure. We bring tested experience and attention to detail to every case we take on.

We Know the Ontario System

As child support lawyers based in Toronto and working across Ontario, we understand how local courts interpret the law and how the Family Responsibility Office handles enforcement. We use that knowledge to guide our clients through every step with confidence and clarity.

Personalized Strategies for Every Family

No two families are the same. We take the time to understand your situation so we can tailor our legal strategy to fit your needs. Whether you are seeking to establish support, modify an existing order, or resolve a dispute over Section 7 expenses, we approach your case with precision and purpose.

Clear Communication and Strong Legal Support

You deserve a lawyer who will explain the process, keep you informed, and advocate for your best interests. We pride ourselves on responsiveness, transparency, and results-driven service that puts you and your family first.

Speak With a Child Support Lawyer Today

Whether you are paying or receiving child support, having the right legal guidance can make all the difference. At Nussbaum Law, we help parents across Ontario protect their rights and ensure their children’s needs are fully supported. If you have questions or need help navigating your next steps, book a free consultation with one of our Toronto divorce lawyers. We are here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Ontario

What factors determine how much child support I have to pay?

Child support amounts are primarily based on the payor parent’s gross annual income, the number of children involved, and the parenting arrangement. The Federal Child Support Guidelines provide standardized tables, but special expenses may also apply depending on your situation.

Yes. If each parent has the child at least 40 percent of the time, shared custody may reduce the base child support amount. In these cases, the court may consider each parent’s income and the costs associated with maintaining two households when determining a fair amount.

Section 7 expenses refer to special or extraordinary costs not covered by the basic child support amount. These include things like daycare, private school, post-secondary education, and medical needs. Both parents typically share these costs in proportion to their incomes.

Yes. Child support can be changed through a legal process if there has been a material change in circumstances. Common reasons include job loss, a change in custody arrangements, or a significant increase or decrease in income.

If a parent does not pay court-ordered child support, enforcement can be handled by Ontario’s Family Responsibility Office (FRO). They have the authority to garnish wages, suspend driver’s licenses, or take other enforcement actions to ensure compliance.