Viewing 21 posts 127 – 147 of 179
×
Legal AI
Assistant
Find a Lawyer » Canada Legal Guides » Ontario Legal Guides » Family Law & Divorce Ontario » Child Custody & Support Ontario » Page 7
💡If you receive a Notice of Intention to Suspend your driver’s licence from the FRO, you have exactly 30 days to file a motion for a Refraining Order in an…
💰If you owe child support arrears, the Ontario Family Responsibility Office (FRO) can register your debt federally. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will then automatically intercept your income tax refunds…
🏫Private school tuition is not automatically a Section 7 expense in Ontario. A judge at the Superior Court of Justice will only force a parent to pay a proportionate share…
💡In Ontario, adult children are expected to contribute to their own post-secondary education. Before parents split the Section 7 cost of university tuition, the student must apply for the Ontario…
💡Under Ontario family law, a judge may allow you to pay child support directly to an adult child attending university, especially if they live away from home. However, you cannot…
💡In Ontario, braces and necessary orthodontic treatments are generally classified as Section 7 special expenses. Parents must typically share the out-of-pocket costs proportionately based on their respective incomes, after applying…
💡In Ontario, specialized ADHD tutoring can be classified as a Section 7 extraordinary expense under the Child Support Guidelines. If the tutoring is necessary for the child’s best interests and…
💡In Ontario, a step-parent can be legally forced to pay child support if they demonstrated a “settled intention” to treat the child as their own (acting in loco parentis). If…
💡In Ontario, joint Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) funds must typically be completely exhausted before parents are required to pay out-of-pocket for post-secondary tuition under Section 7 extraordinary expenses. A…
💡Under Ontario family law, Section 7 expenses must be split based on the “net” out-of-pocket cost. This means before dividing the cost of childcare or extraordinary summer camps, parents must…
⛯️In Ontario, basic house league sports are covered by standard child support, but expensive competitive rep hockey is usually a Section 7 extraordinary expense. Parents generally share registration, equipment, and…
💡In Ontario, the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) has the legal authority to garnish up to 100% of a severance package or wrongful dismissal settlement to recover child support arrears. If…
💡In Ontario, executive bonuses, sales commissions, and vested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are considered taxable income and must be included in your child support calculations. Because this income fluctuates, parents…
⚠Yes. The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) in Ontario has massive enforcement powers. Under the Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, FRO can pierce the corporate veil and garnish the…
💡Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines in Ontario, tax-free military deployment allowances and hazard pay are generally “grossed up” to calculate your true income. This means your Canadian Armed Forces…
💡Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Loss of Earnings benefits are tax-free. To calculate child support fairly in Ontario, courts ‘gross-up’ this non-taxable income to match what a standard employee…
💡If you quit your job to return to school in Ontario, a family court judge will not automatically reduce your child support. You must prove the retraining is realistic and…
💡Yes. In Ontario, all cash tips and gratuities must be included when calculating child support. If a hospitality worker fails to report this income to the CRA, a family court…
💼When an Ontario employer receives a Support Deduction Notice (SDN) from the Family Responsibility Office (FRO), they are legally mandated to begin deducting funds from the employee’s next paycheque within…
💡In Ontario, employers who ignore a Family Responsibility Office (FRO) Support Deduction Notice face severe consequences. You can be held personally liable for 100% of the employee’s unpaid child support…
🚨First responders and nurses in Ontario can secure equal parenting time using flexible schedules like the “2-2-3” or a customized rotating shift plan. Courts prioritize the child’s best interests, and…
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Family Reunification, Spousal Sponsorship, Parenting Plans, Separation Agreements
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 218 Centre St N, Oshawa, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: Family Law, Residential Real Estate, Wills and Estates
🗣️ Languages: English, German
📍 Address: 11 Raymond St, St. Catharines, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: Real Estate Closings, Family Law Mediation, Estate Planning, Business Incorporation
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 3305 Harvester Rd #4, Burlington, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2019
🎯 Specialization: High-Asset Divorce, Child Custody, Spousal Support, Separation Agreements
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 20 Wellington St, Brantford, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, Immigration Appeals, Family Mediation, Business Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu
📍 Address: 373 Steeles Ave W, Brampton, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2000
🎯 Specialization: Civil Litigation, Contested Divorce, Spousal Sponsorship
🗣️ Languages: English, Hindi, Urdu
📍 Address: 77 City Centre Dr Suite # 501, Mississauga, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2010
🎯 Specialization: High-Conflict Divorce, Child Custody Disputes, Spousal Support, Separation Agreements
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 35 Cedar Pointe Dr, Barrie, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: Estate Litigation, Corporate Restructuring, High-Net-Worth Divorce, Immigration Applications
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 89 Clarence St, Kingston, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1988
🎯 Specialization: Construction Law, Collaborative Family Law, Child Protection, Real Estate Closings
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 58 Lisgar St, Sudbury, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1979
🎯 Specialization: Child Protection, Family Litigation, Collaborative Law
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 81 Toronto St, Barrie, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2006
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Health Card, Drivers License, Vehicle Registration, Ontario Photo Card, Accessible Parking Permit
📍 4145 N Service Rd, Burlington, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Restorative Justice, Victim Support, Offender Rehabilitation, Community Mediation
📍 161 Elgin St 3rd Floor, Ottawa, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Divorce Decrees, Parenting Orders, Restraining Orders, Adoption Orders
📍 55 Main St W, Hamilton, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Death Certificates (Intake), Burial Permits
📍 100 Queen St W, Toronto, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Court Records, Divorce Decrees, Probate Documents
📍 59 Church St 4th Floor, St. Catharines, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Court Transcripts, Criminal Records Search, Civil Filings
📍 45 Main St E, Hamilton, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Youth Justice Services Division, Probation and Parole
📍 1540 McDougall St, Windsor, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Criminal Records, Bail Orders, Restraining Orders, Divorce Decrees, Probate Grants
📍 85 Frederick St, Kitchener, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Health Card, Drivers License, Vehicle Registration, Ontario Photo Card, Accessible Parking Permit
📍 2467 Dougall Ave, Windsor, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Health Card, Drivers License, Vehicle Plates, Ontario Photo Card, Accessible Parking Permit
📍 30 Duke St W, Kitchener, Ontario
Welcome to the Ontario Child Custody & Support guide centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from parenting time arrangements to child support calculations, based on current provincial regulations.
Navigating child custody and support in Ontario is often the most emotionally challenging part of a separation. In recent years, Canadian family law has shifted away from the terms “custody” and “access,” focusing instead on “decision-making responsibility” and “parenting time.” These updated concepts, governed by the provincial Children’s Law Reform Act and the federal Divorce Act, prioritize the best interests of the child above all else. Whether you are creating a shared parenting plan in Sudbury or adjusting child support payments in Mississauga, the legal framework is designed to ensure children remain financially supported and emotionally secure.
Establishing a fair parenting arrangement requires open communication and a clear understanding of legal guidelines. By focusing on a child’s right to maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents, families can often minimize conflict. Staying informed about current Ontario regulations helps you build a stable, predictable environment for your children to thrive in after a separation.
Child-related disputes in the province are primarily addressed in either the Ontario Superior Court of Justice or the Ontario Court of Justice, depending on your municipality and whether you are legally married. In several jurisdictions across the province, the unified Family Court operates to handle all family law matters in a single location. These courts strongly encourage parents to use alternative dispute resolution methods, such as family mediation, before proceeding to a highly adversarial trial.
Families also frequently rely on vital provincial agencies to manage and enforce their arrangements. The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) is a critical government agency that collects, distributes, and enforces child support payments. If serious concerns about a child’s safety or well-being arise, local Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) may become involved to investigate and provide necessary protective services.
Resolving parenting disputes and calculating correct support amounts involves complex legal tests and strict financial disclosure rules. We strongly advise against attempting to represent yourself in family court or drafting informal parenting agreements without professional guidance. A poorly structured arrangement or an inaccurate income calculation can lead to ongoing conflict, financial hardship, and severe negative impacts on your children’s daily lives.
Retaining a compassionate and experienced family lawyer is the most effective way to protect your relationship with your children. You can find a list of relevant local lawyers and government agencies at the top of this page. Relying on professional legal counsel ensures that your parenting agreements are legally binding, enforceable, and genuinely reflect the best interests of your family.
Parenting time (formerly access) refers to the physical time a child spends in the care of each parent. Decision-making responsibility (formerly custody) refers to who has the legal authority to make major life choices for the child, such as those concerning healthcare, education, and religion.
Child support is generally calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The baseline amount depends on the paying parent’s gross annual income, the number of children requiring support, and the specific province where the paying parent lives.
No. In Canadian family law, child support and parenting time are treated as legally separate issues. You cannot deny a parent their court-ordered parenting time simply because they are behind on child support payments.
Section 7 expenses refer to special or extraordinary child-rearing costs that go beyond the basic monthly child support amount. Common examples include daycare costs, uninsured medical or dental premiums (like braces), and expensive extracurricular activities.
There is no specific legal age at which a child gets to make this decision. As a child grows older and more mature, the court will place greater weight on their views and preferences, but the child’s preference is just one of many factors used to determine their best interests.
If a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the FRO has broad enforcement powers. They can garnish wages directly from the payor’s employer, seize bank accounts, register liens on personal property, and even suspend driver’s licences and federal passports.