Support for families across Ontario

Child Support Lawyers In Toronto, Ontario

Whether you’re paying or receiving support, we help clarify your legal rights and obligations. From initial calculations to changes down the road, we guide you through every step with transparency and focus.

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What you should know about child support

Support Basics

How child support is calculated

Support obligations are based on income, number of children, and parenting time. We help you understand how federal guidelines apply and what amounts are typically expected under Ontario law.

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Payment Terms

When, how, and where it’s paid

Child support can be paid privately or through the Family Responsibility Office. We explain each method, how enforcement works, and what to do if payments are missed or delayed.

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Adjustments Over Time

How and when support is reviewed

A change in income or custody may justify a review. Whether you’re requesting or responding to a change, we help you navigate the steps and file the right documents to support your position.

Shared Responsibility

Support that meets real-world needs

Support exists to meet your child’s basic needs—not to reward or punish either parent. We work toward agreements that are clear, legally sound, and reflect the needs of both households.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common concerns about payment, enforcement, and adjustments

How is child support calculated in Ontario?

Child support is based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The paying parent’s income and number of children determine the basic amount. Special expenses like childcare, healthcare, or education may lead to additional payments.

Support amounts are usually straightforward, but self-employment, variable income, or hidden earnings can complicate calculations. Courts prioritize clear income disclosure to maintain fairness for the child’s needs.

When does child support usually end in Ontario?

Child support usually continues until the child turns 18. However, it can extend past 18 if the child remains dependent due to illness, disability, or full-time education.

Each case depends on facts like the child’s living situation, educational progress, and ability to support themselves. Courts favor continued support when a child is genuinely pursuing education or requires assistance due to special needs.

Can child support be changed after an agreement?

Yes, if circumstances change significantly—such as income loss, job changes, or changes in parenting time—support can be reviewed. Either parent can apply for a variation through the court.

Documentation is important when requesting changes. Courts require updated financial disclosure and evidence showing why the original order no longer reflects the child’s current needs or parents’ financial realities.

What happens if child support is unpaid?

The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) collects child support orders in Ontario. They can garnish wages, suspend driver’s licenses, place liens on property, or seize passports to enforce payment.

If circumstances prevent you from paying, it’s better to apply to change the order rather than ignore it. Accumulating arrears without action can trigger serious legal and financial consequences.

Can parents agree to waive child support?

No, child support belongs to the child, not the parent, and cannot be waived by agreement. Parents can negotiate variations in how support is structured but cannot eliminate the legal obligation.

Courts must review agreements involving child support to ensure the child’s best interests are being met. Private arrangements still must comply with guideline amounts unless there is strong evidence justifying deviation.

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Child Support Lawyers

Your children are the most important people in your life and it is important that their lifestyle is not affected by the separation or divorce of their parents. The most common concern we hear about at our family law office is parents who are worried about child support, one parent fears they are paying too much and the other parent worries about receiving too little.

Usually, the primary caregiver will incur the most of the expenses in raising the child, so the other parent should help by giving money to help raise the child, which is the basic principal behind child support in Ontario.

The amount of child support that is received or provided is determined based on: Ontario Child Support Guidelines, which looks at the annual income of both parents, the number of children the couple had together and the custody agreement, as well as Section 7, which is an additional amount intended to cover expenses, such as extracurricular activities or school.

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At Nussbaum Law, we specialize in child support cases in Ontario and we will help protect you and your child’s interests. For parents who pay child support in Ontario:

Our team of family law lawyers in Toronto, Ontario will make sure you are not crippled by child support payments that are unreasonable or unfair. You want to be financially responsible to your children, but after a divorce you also need to build your own financial stability. At Nussbaum Law, we will help you achieve both goals. Our Toronto divorce lawyers will help you to negotiate a fair child support agreement and ensure you are not overpaying in Section 7 expenses.

For primary caregivers who receive child support in Ontario:

After the parents establish a custody agreement, our team of Toronto divorce lawyers will help you determine the amount of child support you, the primary caregiver, will receive. The process involved with calculating child support can be quite complex if you’re not familiar with family law. The divorce lawyers at Nussbaum Law will advocate for you and make sure you’re receiving fair child support payments.

If you have any questions about child support payments in Ontario, contact Nussbaum Law Family Law to book a free consultation with one of our Toronto Divorce Lawyers.