If you are going through a divorce or separation in Ontario, you may be wondering how much child support you will have to pay. The amount of child support is determined by the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which takes into account the income of both parents and the number of children involved.
How is child support calculated in Ontario?
There are many factors that are taken into account when calculating child support in Ontario. The amount of support is based on the needs of the child and the ability of the parents to pay. Some of the factors that are considered include:
-The age of the child
-The number of children involved
-The income of the parents
-The parenting schedule
-The costs of childcare and medical expenses
The amount of child support can be negotiated between the parents or it can be ordered by a court. If you are having difficulty reaching an agreement with the other parent, you may want to seek legal advice.
How to calculate your monthly payments
If you’re a parent in Ontario, you may be wondering how to calculate your monthly child support payments. The answer depends on several factors, including your income, the number of children you have, and whether you’re paying or receiving support.
The first step is to determine your gross annual income. This is the total amount of money you earn in a year before taxes and other deductions are taken out. You can find this information on your most recent tax return.
Once you have your gross annual income, you need to calculate the basic monthly child support amount. This is done by using a government-provided formula that takes into account the number of children you have and your income.
Once you have the basic monthly child support amount, there may be additional amounts added on top of this depending on your specific situation. For example, if you have your children for more than 60% of the time, you may be entitled to receive more child support. Or if you pay for childcare expenses so that you can work, that cost may also be factored into your child support payments.
If you’re not sure how to calculate your monthly child support payments, there are many resources available to help, including online calculator https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/child-enfant/2017/look-rech.aspx
What if you can’t afford to pay child support?
If you are unable to pay your child support, the first thing you should do is contact your local child support office. They may be able to help you set up a payment plan or make other arrangements. If you do not make payments, you may be held in contempt of court and could face serious penalties, including wage garnishment, loss of driving privileges, or even jail time.
How to change your child support order
If you’re paying or receiving child support in Ontario and you want to change the amount, you can apply to the court for a “variation” of your order.
Before you apply, you should try to reach an agreement with the other parent about the new amount of child support. If you can agree on the new amount, you can ask a lawyer or paralegal to help you prepare a consent order. A consent order is a legal document that says what the new amount of child support will be and when it will start. Once it’s signed by both parents and filed with the court, it becomes a new court order.
If you can’t reach an agreement with the other parent about changing the amount of child support, either of you can apply to the court for a variation. The court will look at several factors when deciding whether to grant a variation, including:
-any changes in the needs of the children since the original order was made
-any changes in the ability of either parent to pay child support since the original order was made
-the overall financial well-being of each parent and each child
Hardship
If you have an obligation to pay child support based on your income and the children you have but are unable to make payments due to your financial situation, you may make a claim for hardship. This is a high bar to meet and it is recommended that you speak with a family lawyer to see what your chances are in making a hardship claim.
Conclusion
If you are a non-custodial parent in Ontario, the amount of child support you will be required to pay is based on your income and the number of children you have. The guidelines used to calculate child support payments are set by the government and are reviewed every few years. If you have any questions about how much child support you should be paying, contact a family law lawyer today.
No comment