The Federal Child Support Guidelines:
Step-by-Step

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Before you start

About this booklet

This booklet sets out the eight steps you can work through to estimate what an appropriate amount of child support would likely be in your situation, to help you come to an agreement.

You will find worksheets and step-by-step instructions to help you make the right calculations. Either parent can use this booklet, but it may be best when you and the other parent share information and work together to calculate the appropriate amount of child support.

Who can use this booklet?

You can use this booklet if you pay or receive, or will pay or receive, child support under the Federal Child Support Guidelines. You can use the chart under step 1 to find out if the federal guidelines apply to you.

This booklet contains helpful information about child support. It may still be useful to you even if the federal guidelines do not apply to you because most provincial and territorial guidelines are comparable to the federal guidelines. For more information, please see Step 1: figure out which guidelines apply.

What is child support?

Child support is the amount one parent pays to another for the financial support of a child.

Why is child support important?

Child support is important because children need the financial support of both parents, even after separation. Child support is in the child's best interests and both parents have a financial obligation to support their children.

What are child support guidelines?

Child support guidelines are a set of rules and tables. The guidelines are the law. They can tell you how a judge would most likely figure out the amount of child support in your situation. As parents, you may both decide that another amount of child support—higher or lower—is better for you and your children. But, if you ask a judge to decide, he or she will set the amount of child support according to the guidelines, unless there are special circumstances. See Special circumstances for more information.

The guidelines are designed to:

• protect the best interests of the children, and
• make the calculation of child support fair, consistent and predictable.

The guidelines establish a fair standard of support for children that makes sure they continue to benefit from the financial means of both their parents after separation.

The guidelines are also intended to reduce conflict and tension between parents by making child support calculations more fair and more objective, and by encouraging agreements between parents. If you know in advance what your child support amount will likely be, it may be easier for you and the other parent to agree.

What are child support tables?

The tables you will use show the basic amount of child support based on income. They make it easier to figure out child support amounts.

The tables take into account the taxes payable, and therefore gross income is used to apply them.

There is a separate table for each province and territory to reflect different tax rates between provinces and territories. You will need the right table to help you figure out your child support amount.

You can get copies of the tables on the Department of Justice Canada's Internet site. If you need printed copies and cannot get access to a printer, you can arrange to have a maximum of two paper copies sent to you by calling the Department of Justice Canada's Family Law Information Line at 1-888-373-2222 or by e-mailing your request to fcyinfofea@justice.gc.ca. Since there is a separate federal table for each province and territory, please indicate which tables you need.

Special circumstances

In some cases, you and the other parent will have an order or written agreement with special circumstances that directly or indirectly benefit your child. You must consider these provisions before you set child support amounts.

One example could be if you are the paying parent and you have transferred your interest in the family home to the other parent, without being compensated, so the child would not have to move. Since this transaction may provide a benefit to the child, it may be unfair to require you to pay the guideline amount, and a lower child support payment may be fair. You and the other parent would have to agree that this is the case or a judge would have to decide on the matter.

Do you need legal advice?

Child support can be a complex area of the law. This booklet explains the guidelines in general terms. It doesn't provide legal advice. While this booklet can help you understand the guidelines, you may also wish to ask a lawyer to help you:

• determine a child support amount,
• advise you on which supporting documents you must provide,
• make sure your rights are considered,
• make sure your child's best interests are protected, and
• help you with court procedures.

You can choose to represent yourself, but it may be preferable to speak with a lawyer who is familiar with the guidelines.

What if you cannot afford a lawyer?

• Contact your local legal aid office to see if you qualify for legal aid. Look under “legal aid” in the yellow pages of your phone book.
• If you don't qualify for legal aid, you may wish to contact a lawyer referral service.
• Contact your provincial or territorial public legal education program.
• Visit your local library or university to see if they provide legal information.
• Contact your local court house for information.

Other people can help

There are many people who are skilled at helping divorcing parents reach an agreement on child support. For example, mediators, arbitrators and accountants often work with parents. Also, every province and territory offers services for divorcing parents, including parent education programs.

For more information on who can help you, please see Who can help you?.

Court is the last resort

The guidelines tell you how judges would most likely determine the amount of child support in your situation.

It is to everyone's advantage when both parents can agree on the terms of their divorce and on child support arrangements or changes to them. Asking a judge to make the decisions for you can be costly and time-consuming and can be stressful for everyone in the family, especially your children. This booklet can help you get the figures you need to come to an agreement.

What are orders and agreements?

Child support amounts can be set by written agreement between you and the other parent or, if you ask a judge to decide, by court order. For more information, please see Orders and agreements.

If you have more questions

If you have questions this booklet doesn't answer, you can find more information in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Supporting Families website. You can also call the Department of Justice Canada's Family Law Information Line at 1-888-373-2222.

The steps to figuring out child support

This booklet will provide examples at each step. The examples show you how the steps would apply to one family going through a divorce. The examples will be in a box like this one:

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