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Child Support

Justice Canada

Source sectionChild Support
Source checked2026-08-08
Related explanation
Substantive

Child support

Court: Ontario family courts — court-specific procedure may differ

Child support is generally determined under child-support guidelines using income, the applicable table amount and any additional issues such as special expenses or parenting arrangements.

Child support is the child’s right and is governed by the applicable child-support guidelines. The Federal Child Support Guidelines apply in divorce proceedings; Ontario’s Child Support Guidelines apply in provincial family-law proceedings. Both use guideline income and tables as the starting point, subject to the provisions dealing with issues such as shared or split parenting, special expenses, undue hardship and other exceptions.

Accurate income disclosure is essential. The amount on a pay stub alone may not be the guideline income used in every case, particularly for self-employment, corporations, fluctuating income or other adjustments. Support can also change over time when income, parenting arrangements or other relevant circumstances change.

Source summary

What this source covers

Justice Canada provides federal child-support information and links to the Federal Child Support Guidelines and calculation resources.

Key points

Child support is governed by child-support guidelines

Justice Canada explains the federal child-support framework, including guideline amounts, income information and special or extraordinary expenses where applicable.

The applicable guideline can depend on the legal basis for the claim

The Divorce Act uses the applicable child-support guidelines for divorcing spouses, while provincial law and Ontario guidelines can apply in other Ontario family cases.

For exact wording, dates, exceptions and current requirements, read the original source. Binding law and court directions take priority over explanatory material.

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Law and rules

Related official provisions

Rule 13 — (3.1) of the Family Law Rules addresses the documents that must be included with a party’s financial statement where child or spousal support has been sought. A party should provide an updated Certificate of Financial Disclosure (Form 13A) to the other party with this documentation.

If disclosure cannot be resolved prior to the case conference, the party seeking disclosure must include in their materials a list of the outstanding disclosure in accordance with Rule 13(11.01) of the Family Law Rules . The court may award costs pursuant to Rules 17(18) or 24(7) where a party has failed to comply with their disclosure obligations. Counsel and parties should address all disclosure issues in advance of the settlement conference. Any motions for disclosure must be heard in advance of the settlement conference. More information about financial statements and the documents that shall be exchanged to support a financial statement is available here . 1. Automatic Disclosure Orders Under Rule 8.0.1

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide
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Rule 13 — (3.1) of the Family Law Rules sets out which documents MUST be included with a Financial Statement where child or spousal support has been sought. An updated Certificate of Financial Disclosure must be provided to the other party.

A party who has not made all reasonable efforts to comply with their disclosure obligations may be subject to a cost sanction, directions/terms imposed and/or the adjournment of any motion brought by that party until compliance. In egregious cases, upon motion, continued non-compliance may result in a party’s pleadings being struck or found in contempt of Court. C. Motions to Change The Family Law Rules direct the Court to determine the next steps in a Motion to Change, with a view to ensuring that these motions proceed in the most efficient manner appropriate in the circumstances. The Court is directed to determine the most appropriate process for reaching an expeditious and just conclusion of the case in the circumstances. A new Motion to Change Endorsement form is available here. Parties are encouraged to provide a draft Motion to Change Endorsement form with their materials for the first judicial conference to obtain early direction regarding the most appropriate process for the case.…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central West
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Rule 21 — REPORT OF CHILDREN’S LAWYER

21. Report of Children’s Lawyer

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
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Rule 33 — CHILD PROTECTION

33. Child protection

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
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Rule 37 — INTERJURISDICTIONAL SUPPORT ORDERS

37. Interjurisdictional support orders

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
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Rule 37.2 — INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION

37.2 Application

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
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Related subjects:Financial disclosure · Parenting and support
Further reading

Related rules, forms and explanations

Binding official sourceLaw / rule

Children’s Law Reform Act

Official Ontario statute addressing parentage, decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact and related child-law matters where it applies.

Government of OntarioFull ActSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule

Divorce Act

The federal Divorce Act is the primary legislation governing divorce and related parenting and support issues in divorce proceedings.

Justice Laws WebsiteDivorce ActSource checked 2026-08-08
Binding official sourceLaw / rule

Divorce Act

Official federal statute governing divorce and related parenting and support orders where the Divorce Act applies.

Department of Justice CanadaFull ActSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule

Family Law Act

Official Ontario statute addressing family property and equalization, support, domestic contracts and related family-law matters.

Government of OntarioFull ActSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule

Federal Child Support Guidelines

Official federal regulations addressing child-support amounts, income, special expenses, variation and disclosure where the federal Guidelines apply.

Department of Justice CanadaFull regulation and table of contentsSource checked 2026-08-07
Official court procedureOfficial form

A Self-Help Guide: How to complete Form 35.1: Affidavit (decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact)

Official Ontario family-law form or related court document: A Self-Help Guide: How to complete Form 35.1: Affidavit (decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact). Its use depends on the governing rule, the issues in the case and any applicable court directions.

Key points

What this is

Ontario Court Services lists this family-law document as “A Self-Help Guide: How to complete Form 35.1: Affidavit (decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact)”.

How to use this form

Read the form together with the current Family Law Rules and any applicable court orders, notices and practice directions. The governing rule determines when the form is required and how it is used.

Ontario Court ServicesOther documents related to family law cases — A Self-Help Guide: How to complete Form 35.1: Affidavit (decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact)Source checked 2026-08-08