What Fathers Need to Know About Child Support
Are you a father who has just been ordered to pay child support? You’re in an unfamiliar and confusing situation.
It can also be a frustrating state of affairs if you believe you are paying more than you should, or if your ex-spouse isn’t spending the money according to the agreement. Read on to learn what you need to know about being a father who pays child support.
The Obligations of Biological Fathers
If you’re the biological father of a child, you’re legally obligated to pay child support.
This obligation remains regardless of whether the father was ever married to or cohabited with the child’s mother. He doesn’t even have to have had an ongoing relationship with her. All the court needs to prove is that he’s the biological father through a blood or DNA test. What happens if you refuse the test? The court will then assume you’re the biological father, and you’ll still be on the hook for child support.
Child Support Guidelines
The federal government has developed a set of guidelines to determine how much non-custodial parents should pay in support. Not all provinces use these guidelines, although Ontario does.
How did the Canadian government decide how much non-custodial parents should pay in child support? It takes into account how much the non-custodial parent earns each year before tax as well as the number of children.
When the Judge Sets the Payment
There are times when the judge in the case decides to use his or her discretion to set the child support payment. This generally happens when the judge concludes that the non-custodial parent is not being honest about his income.
Why would the judge come to this conclusion? The non-custodial parent might not provide income information, or it would appear he’s unemployed in order not to pay child support. Moreover, the judge might intuit that the parent is earning money under the table and not reporting all of it.
Need Help With Child Support? We Can Help!
One of the best ways to secure your financial future is to make sure you get the best possible settlement in the divorce. Fine and Associates has helped countless individuals with their child support and spousal support needs, with expertise and compassion, and we can help you, too.
If you need help with child support or spousal support, call Fine & Associates today at 647-496-6057, or fill out the form on the right to request a free consultation.