Understanding “Retroactive Child Support” in Ontario Family Law
Under Ontario Family law, the concept of child support is a key part of ensuring a child’s needs are met when his or her parents separate or divorce. Most parents in this situation will be familiar with the concept of ongoing child support – which is future-facing. However, the concept of “retroactive” child support is less commonly understood. This Blog will touch on the answers to some of...
What is the Child Support Amount for One Kid in Ontario?
We get this question in our office all the time: “How much child support will I have to pay for my kid?” Unfortunately, the question defies an easy answer. There are a lot of “moving parts” to the equation. With this in mind, we’ll first untangle the legal foundation for answering that query, and then look at how the support numbers are calculated. Then, we’ll give a fact-specific example....
Ontario Family Law: Forgiveness (a.k.a. “Rescission”) of Child Support Arrears
Child support is a crucial aspect of Family Law in Ontario. If you are one of the parents of a child, it’s a mutual obligation that each of you has, regardless of your marital status. And it’s a stringent obligation, since the law makes it clear that your child is entitled to benefit from the financial support that each of you owe. If you are separated or divorced, you may be subject to a...
Imputing Income – Determining the Proper Quantum of Child and Spousal Support
If you are separating or divorcing from your spouse, you’ll know that a key step in the process is to determine how much annual income each of you earns. Accurately setting those income amounts is important, because it factors into the legal determination of how much spousal or child support must be paid, and by whom. In a perfect world, each of you would both be forthright and honest about...
How Long Does Child Support Last? – Frequently Asked Questions
One of the most common legal inquiries we get from the clients of our firm is “how long do I have to pay support for my child?” Here are some of the frequently-asked questions on this topic: Q: How long does child support last? A: Usually, until the age of 18. In Ontario, you typically must pay support for your child from the time he or she is born, until the provincial age of majority and has...
Are Parents Required to Support Their Adult Children?
Most Ontario parents are already aware that they have a legal obligation to financially support their children until the age of 18 (which is the age of majority in the province). This applies whether the parents are married, never-married, living together common-law, divorced, or separated. But what many parents may not know, is that in some circumstances the obligation to support their child...
A Breakdown of Child Support Calculations and Modifications
Child support ensures children receive financial support from both parents after separation or divorce. Ontario follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines (FCSG) to determine fair and consistent child support amounts. This article by Fine & Associates Law demystifies child support calculations and explains how to request modifications. Related: Online Child Support Calculator Ontario...
What NOT to Do During a Divorce
Do NOT punish your Spouse The Divorce process can be very emotional. You may be very angry at your spouse. You may want to punish your spouse. Don’t make that mistake! If you make the divorce process more difficult, it will only increase your legal costs and increase your stress. It may make a resolution of the outstanding issues very difficult. Never threaten your spouse with violence. It can...
Child Support for School Expenses & Extracurriculars: What You Need to Know
When parents divorce or separate, one of the most crucial considerations is ensuring that their child’s financial needs are met. Child support covers the basic costs of raising a child, including housing, food, and clothing. However, as children grow, additional expenses, such as school-related costs and extracurricular activities, become essential for their development and well-being....