In New Brunswick, basic child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The amount is determined almost entirely by the paying parent’s gross annual income and the number of children they are supporting. You can estimate this mandatory monthly amount using the free online federal tables.
When parents separate in New Brunswick, ensuring that their children continue to receive proper financial care is a strict legal requirement. Child support is the right of the child, not a reward or punishment for the parents. To remove the guesswork and minimize vicious court battles, the Canadian government established a standardized mathematical formula known as the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Whether your family lives in Edmunston, Miramichi, or Saint John, these strict rules ensure fairness and consistency across the province.
This practical guide explains exactly how child support is calculated under the federal guidelines in New Brunswick. We will show you how to accurately determine income, how parenting time affects the final calculation, and what happens when special expenses arise that are not covered by the basic monthly amount.
Step-by-Step Process for Calculating Child Support in New Brunswick
Calculating support is generally a straightforward mathematical process, provided both parents are completely honest about their finances. The family courts in New Brunswick rigorously apply these exact steps when issuing a formal support order.
Step 1: Determine the Parenting Time Arrangement
The physical living arrangement directly dictates how the federal guidelines are applied. If the children spend more than 60% of their time living with one parent (the “primary” residence), the other parent strictly pays the full table amount based on their income alone.
However, if you share parenting time equally (each parent has the children at least 40% of the time), a different calculation is used. The court will look at what each parent would owe the other based on the federal tables, and the higher earner typically pays the difference (known as the “set-off” amount) 📊.
Step 2: Calculate the Paying Parent’s Gross Income
To use the federal tables accurately, you must find the paying parent’s gross annual income. You cannot simply guess this number. The most reliable source is Line 15000 (Total Income) on their most recent official Notice of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
If a parent is self-employed, determining true income can be much more complex. The court has the strong legal authority to closely examine corporate financial statements and add back personal expenses written off by the business . If a parent is intentionally unemployed or hiding cash income, a judge can legally “impute” (assign) an income level to them.
Step 3: Consult the Federal Child Support Tables
Once you have the gross income and the exact number of children, calculating the basic monthly payment is simple. The Department of Justice provides free online lookup tables specifically designed for New Brunswick (since tax rates differ slightly by province).
For example, as of April 2026, if a paying parent in New Brunswick earns exactly $65,000 CAD per year and has two children, the federal table clearly mandates a basic monthly payment. This amount is non-negotiable unless paying it would cause “undue hardship”-a legal standard that is exceptionally difficult to prove in court.
Step 4: Add Section 7 Special and Extraordinary Expenses
The basic monthly table amount is meant to cover everyday necessities like groceries, clothing, and basic shelter. It does not cover large, extraordinary costs. These are known legally as “Section 7 expenses.”‘
Section 7 expenses typically include necessary childcare (daycare), children’s portion of medical/dental premiums, braces, tutoring, and sometimes elite sports . Unlike the basic table amount paid only by one parent, these special expenses are shared proportionately between both parents, based on their respective incomes.
| Expense Type | What is Included | How it is Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Table Amount | Food, regular clothing, housing, standard school supplies. | Paid fully by the non-primary parent (or set-off in shared care). |
| Section 7 Childcare | Daycare or after-school care required for a parent to work. | Shared proportionately based on both parents’ gross incomes. |
| Section 7 Medical | Orthodontics (braces), prescription glasses, specialized therapy. | Shared proportionately after subtracting any insurance coverage. |
How Much Does it Cost in New Brunswick?
Determining the amount of child support is usually inexpensive, but formalizing it can carry some costs:
- Online Calculators: Accessing the Federal Child Support Guidelines online calculator is 100% free.
- Legal Consultation: Booking a one-time consultation with a local family law firm to verify your calculations typically costs between $200 and $400 CAD.
- Court Filing Fees: If you are filing an application at the Court of King’s Bench to legally mandate the support payments, the standard filing fee is $75 CAD.
- Income Valuations: If your ex-partner owns a complex business, hiring a forensic accountant to determine their true income can cost upwards of $3,000 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Calculating the amount using the federal online tables takes less than 5 minutes. However, obtaining a legally binding court order or a formalized Separation Agreement that explicitly outlines these payments usually takes between 1 to 3 months if both parents cooperate. If one parent aggressively refuses to disclose their CRA tax returns, forcing the matter to a full court trial can delay the final support order for over a year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is child support considered taxable income?
No. Under current Canadian tax law, child support payments are completely tax-free for the receiving parent, and they are not tax-deductible for the paying parent.
Does child support end automatically at age 18?
Not necessarily. While 19 is the age of majority in New Brunswick, support often continues if the “child of the marriage” remains dependent, such as attending a university or college full-time, or if they have a severe disability.
Can we agree to a child support amount lower than the guidelines?
Generally, no. Judges are legally obligated to protect the child’s rights. A court will usually reject any separation agreement where the support amount is significantly lower than the federal tables, unless special provisions (like a large property transfer) offset it.
What happens if the paying parent moves out of New Brunswick?
The child support amount is legally calculated based on the province where the paying parent currently resides. If they move to Alberta, for example, the slightly different Alberta federal tax tables would apply to their income.
Do I have to pay support if I am not allowed to see my child?
Yes, absolutely. In Canada, child support and parenting time are entirely separate legal issues. You cannot withhold support payments simply because your ex-partner is unfairly denying you access to your child.
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