Child & Spousal Support
Support has two halves: child support, which is a legal entitlement calculated under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, and spousal support, where entitlement, amount, and duration are three separate questions. We get both right.
Determining Precise Support Obligations
Child support is driven by the paying parent’s line 15000 income, the number of children, and the Ontario table. Shared parenting (40% or more time with each parent) and split parenting change the analysis under sections 8 and 9 of the Guidelines, and section 7 special expenses (childcare, health premiums, uninsured medical and dental, tuition, extracurriculars) are shared in proportion to income on top of the table amount.
Self-employed parents, incorporated business owners, and parents who have voluntarily reduced income require an imputation analysis under section 19. We gather corporate financials, personal tax returns, and lifestyle evidence to build, or defend against, an imputation argument.
Financial Support Representation
Line 15000 & Table Calculations
Calculating monthly base child support strictly aligned with Line 15000 income and Ontario table schedules under Federal Guidelines.
Section 7 Special Expenses
Determining proportional shares for childcare, health premiums, uninsured medical/dental, tuition, and extraordinary extracurriculars.
Section 19 Income Imputation
Analyzing corporate financials, personal tax returns, and lifestyle evidence for self-employed, incorporated, or underemployed parents.
Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines
Evaluating compensatory, non-compensatory, or contractual entitlement, and running with-child or without-child SSAG formulas.
Financial Statements (Form 13 / 13.1)
Preparing detailed court financial disclosures, interim support motions, final orders, and review or termination provisions.
Material Changes & FRO Enforcement
Handling material-change variations, lump-sum versus periodic support structuring, and enforcement through the Family Responsibility Office.
4 Steps to Support Resolution
Financial Audit & Disclosure
Gathering tax returns, Notices of Assessment, corporate statements, and completing Form 13 or 13.1 Financial Statements.
Guidelines & Formula Analysis
Calculating Guideline table amounts, Section 7 expense splits, and running SSAG with-child or without-child range calculations.
Quantum & Terms Negotiation
Advocating on strength of claim, self-sufficiency, lump-sum vs. periodic arrangements, and second-family obligations.
Order Execution & FRO Registration
Finalizing binding agreement terms or court orders complete with review triggers and Family Responsibility Office enforcement options.
Comprehensive Spousal Support & Variation Advocacy
Spousal support entitlement can be compensatory, non-compensatory, or contractual. Amount and duration are calculated under the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines using the with-child or without-child formula, and where a file lands within the range depends on strength of claim, self-sufficiency, and second-family obligations we advocate on.
We handle interim support motions, final orders, lump-sum versus periodic analysis, review and termination provisions, material-change variations, Financial Statements (Form 13 or 13.1), and enforcement through the Family Responsibility Office.
- Entitlement Basis: Full analysis of compensatory, non-compensatory, and contractual grounds for support.
- SSAG Range Positioning: Strategic positioning across low, mid, and high ranges based on self-sufficiency and second-family factors.
- Form 13 & 13.1 Compliance: Scrupulous preparation of statutory court financial disclosure forms.
- Enforcement & Variations: Handling FRO processes, interim motions, review clauses, and material-change variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do shared and split parenting schedules impact child support?
When each parent has 40% or more time with the child, sections 8 and 9 of the Guidelines alter the calculation. Courts look beyond simple table set-offs to evaluate increased household expenses and relative incomes.
What happens if a parent is self-employed or underreporting income?
Under Section 19 of the Guidelines, courts can impute income. We gather personal tax filings, corporate financial records, and lifestyle evidence to build or defend against an income imputation argument.
How are spousal support amounts and durations determined?
First, entitlement must be established on compensatory, non-compensatory, or contractual grounds. Then, amount and duration ranges are calculated using the SSAG with-child or without-child formulas based on claim strength and self-sufficiency.
Get Your Support Calculations Right
Contact our experienced family law legal team today to evaluate child and spousal support under Ontario law.