What You Need to Know About Child Support in Ontario
Raising kids isn’t cheap. Between school supplies, extracurricular activities, and the never-ending grocery bills (seriously, do kids ever stop eating?), child support is a major concern for separated or divorced parents.
If you’re wondering, “How much is child support in Ontario for one child?”, the answer depends on a few factors—mainly income, custody arrangements, and special expenses.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
✅ How child support is calculated in Ontario
✅ The Child Support Guidelines and how much you might pay
✅ What happens if you share custody
✅ When extra expenses (like daycare or medical costs) come into play
✅ How to enforce or modify child support payments
(By the way, this is an informational article from Key Family Law, your trusted Ontario family law experts.)
How is Child Support Calculated in Ontario?
Child support in Ontario follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The basic monthly amount is determined by:
1️⃣ The paying parent’s gross annual income
2️⃣ The number of children they are supporting
3️⃣ The province where the paying parent lives
If you have one child, the table amount (or base support) is set by the Child Support Guidelines. This amount covers basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter but does not include special expenses like daycare or medical costs.
💡 Good to Know: Even if you don’t have a formal court order, child support is still legally required if you are the non-custodial parent.
How Much is Child Support for One Child in Ontario?
Here’s an approximate monthly breakdown based on gross annual income (before taxes) for one child:
| Annual Income | Monthly Child Support (1 Child) |
| $30,000 | $256 |
| $40,000 | $359 |
| $50,000 | $461 |
| $60,000 | $563 |
| $70,000 | $654 |
| $80,000 | $733 |
| $90,000 | $812 |
| $100,000 | $889 |
💡 Example: If the paying parent earns $50,000/year, they would owe about $461/month for one child.
📌 Where to Find the Exact Amount? You can check the official Government of Canada Child Support Calculator to get precise figures based on your income and situation.
How Does Child Custody Affect Support Payments?
Child support is closely tied to custody arrangements. Here’s how different scenarios impact payments:
1️⃣ Sole Custody
If one parent has full custody, the other parent (the non-custodial parent) must pay child support based on their income.
📌 Example:
- The child lives full-time with Parent A.
- Parent B must pay child support as per the guidelines.
🔗 Learn more about custody laws in Ontario: Child Custody
2️⃣ Shared Custody (50/50 Parenting Time)
If both parents share equal (or near-equal) parenting time (at least 40% of the time each), child support is calculated differently.
📌 Instead of one parent paying full child support, the higher-earning parent typically pays the difference between what each parent would owe under the guidelines.
📌 Example:
- Parent A earns $60,000/year and would pay $563/month for one child.
- Parent B earns $80,000/year and would pay $733/month.
- The difference is $170, so Parent B pays Parent A $170/month instead of the full $733.
This system recognizes that both parents are financially responsible when they share parenting duties.
3️⃣ Split Custody (Each Parent Has One or More Children Full-Time)
If parents have multiple children and split custody (e.g., one child lives full-time with each parent), then each parent calculates their support obligation, and the higher earner pays the difference.
📌 Example:
- Parent A owes $461/month for one child.
- Parent B owes $563/month for the other child.
- The net payment is $102/month from Parent B to Parent A.
What About Extra Expenses? (Section 7 Expenses)
Basic child support payments cover everyday costs, but what about extra expenses like:
🍼 Daycare costs
📚 School tuition
🏥 Medical and dental bills (not covered by insurance)
⚽ Extracurricular activities
These are called Section 7 expenses, and they’re usually split between parents based on their income.
📌 Example:
- A child’s daycare costs $500/month.
- Parent A earns $40,000, and Parent B earns $80,000.
- Parent A covers 1/3 of the cost ($166), and Parent B covers 2/3 ($334).
These expenses are separate from the base child support payments and must be agreed upon or decided by a court.
What Happens If Someone Doesn’t Pay Child Support?
Unfortunately, some parents refuse or fail to pay child support. If this happens, the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) can enforce payments through:
✔ Wage garnishment (taking money directly from their paycheck)
✔ Seizing bank accounts
✔ Suspending driver’s licenses or passports
✔ Intercepting tax refunds
If you’re struggling to collect child support, legal assistance from Key Family Law can help you enforce the payments.
Can Child Support Be Changed?
Yes! Child support isn’t set in stone and can be modified if:
✔ The paying parent’s income changes significantly
✔ The custody arrangement changes (e.g., switching to shared custody)
✔ There are new special expenses (e.g., medical needs)
Parents can negotiate changes privately or request a court order if they can’t agree.
Final Thoughts: What Should You Do Next?
💰 If you’re wondering how much child support you’ll pay or receive, use the guidelines and calculator as a starting point.
⚖️ If you need help negotiating support, enforcing payments, or modifying an order, Key Family Law can provide expert legal advice tailored to your situation.
📞 Contact us today for a consultation on child support and custody matters!