The Federal Child Support Guidelines:
Step-by-Step

Step 6: find the table amount

Using the provincial or territorial simplified table, find the annual income in the column on the left.

Next, look to the right and find the column for the number of children.

You may also use our Child Support Online Lookup.

This example will help explain who the paying parent is in different scenarios.

Shared custody example

In a shared custody arrangement, Patrick and Michelle need to consider:

  1. what the table amount would be for each of them,
  2. the increased cost of shared custody, and
  3. the condition, means, and needs of both of them and their children.

Patrick and Michelle have already agreed to calculate child support using the child support table for three children. They look at the tables to find the monthly amount each would pay if the other parent had sole custody of the children. At $40,000, Patrick must pay Michelle $757 a month. At $50,000, Michelle must pay Patrick $926 a month. The parents subtract Patrick's support amount of $757 from Michelle's support amount of $926. Michelle will pay Patrick the difference of $169.

Michelle's monthly amount: $926

Patrick's monthly amount: $757

$926 - $757 = $169

Patrick and Michelle also look at the expenses each of them expects to pay while the children are in their custody. Patrick will have to pay for more expenses than Michelle. Taking Michelle's means into account, they agree that it is reasonable and fair for her to pay an additional amount of child support and they decide that Michelle will pay Patrick $225 a month.

This example shows one way of taking the two table amounts into account. Patrick and Michelle could also use any other method they agree on to figure out the child support amount.

Split custody example

Patrick and Michelle have already agreed to calculate child support using the child support table for three children. Two of the children will live with Patrick. One child will live with Michelle. Patrick would pay support for the child who is in Michelle's care. Michelle would pay support for the two children in Patrick's care. Under the guidelines, they would calculate the amount by:

  • figuring out the amount of support Patrick would pay Michelle for the child in Michelle's care,
  • figuring out the amount of support that Michelle would pay for the two children in Patrick's care, and
  • subtracting the lesser amount from the higher amount.

Patrick and Michelle look at the tables to determine the monthly amount each would pay. At $40,000, Patrick would be required to pay $336 a month for one child. Michelle, at $50,000, would have to pay $701 a month for two children. After subtracting Patrick's support amount of $336 from Michelle's support amount of $701, Michelle would pay Patrick $365 a month for child support.

Michelle's monthly amount: $701

Patrick's monthly amount: $336

$701 - $336 = $365

Sole custody example

Patrick will have sole custody of all three children. Patrick and Michelle have already agreed to calculate child support using the child support table for all three children. They select the table amount for Nova Scotia, which for three children would be $926 a month.