Child Support in Ontario: How It Is Determined and When It Can Change

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In Ontario, child support usually starts with a guideline table amount based on income, the number of children and the paying parent's province or territory. The table figure is a starting point, not necessarily the final amount: parenting time, qualifying additional expenses and the income evidence may change the assessment.

For an existing agreement or order, a change in income or family circumstances may require a review. The existing amount does not simply change itself. This article explains the main distinctions and the information that may need attention.

How is child support determined in Ontario?

Both parents have a financial responsibility to their children after separation. In a divorce case under the federal Divorce Act, the Federal Child Support Guidelines apply. Other Ontario family matters may be governed by Ontario's Child Support Guidelines. The framework depends on the proceeding and circumstances.

The basic table amount generally reflects the paying parent's before-tax annual income, the number of children and the province or territory where that parent lives. The federal tables were updated effective October 1, 2025, and Ontario applies the new amounts to Ontario child support matters from that date. If a question concerns support for an earlier period, it is important to use the table for that period.

What income information matters?

Accurate, current income information is central to a fair assessment. Employment income may be relatively straightforward; self-employment, commissions, bonuses, business income or a substantial change between tax years may require more analysis. A tax return is important evidence, but the guideline income used in a particular case may require adjustments or further information.

Disclosure can matter at the outset and when support is reviewed later. Depending on the issue, both parents' incomes may be relevant, especially for additional expenses or shared parenting. If a parent has not provided reliable updates, the uncertainty should be addressed before assuming an old figure remains appropriate.

Does parenting time change the amount?

Sometimes. Where a child spends most of the time with one parent, the other parent's table amount commonly provides the starting point. In a shared parenting arrangement, where each parent has at least 40% of parenting time over a year, the federal guidelines require consideration of both table amounts, the increased costs of shared parenting and the parents' and child's circumstances.

A 50/50 schedule does not automatically mean zero support. Nor does a label in an agreement settle how the arrangement operates in practice. The specific facts and applicable guideline should be assessed.

Which additional expenses may be shared?

Basic table support is distinct from special or extraordinary expenses, sometimes called section 7 expenses under the federal guidelines. Depending on the facts, potentially qualifying costs include child care connected to work or certain other circumstances, a child's portion of health and dental insurance, some uninsured health needs, post-secondary education, and extraordinary education or extracurricular expenses.

Not every activity or receipt qualifies. Necessity in the child's best interests, reasonableness in light of the family's means and prior spending, and the specific guideline category matter. Benefits, subsidies and relevant tax effects can affect the net cost. A common principle is proportional sharing based on the parents' incomes, subject to the arrangement and circumstances. Clear terms about the expense and each parent's responsibility can prevent later disputes.

When can an existing amount change?

A meaningful change in income, parenting arrangements or a child's needs may justify reviewing support. The way to change it depends on whether the current amount appears in an agreement or court order and on the applicable legal route. Parents should not assume an informal understanding replaces an enforceable order or resolves accumulated arrears.

Current financial disclosure helps identify whether an adjustment is needed. If an Ontario support order is filed with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO), FRO collects and enforces the amount under the order; a disagreement about what should be payable is a separate question. Delay in dealing with a change can complicate both future payments and past amounts.

Which issue needs attention in your situation?

• Setting support: Identify the governing guideline, reliable income information, actual parenting arrangement and any qualifying expenses.
• Reviewing a proposed agreement: Check that the support terms and expense-sharing language are clear and based on adequate disclosure.
• Responding to a change: Compare the existing order or agreement with the new information and assess the appropriate route and effective period.
• Disputed payments or enforcement: Separate the current support question from the record of payments and any arrears.

A consultation can help define the issue and the work needed. This is a guide to the questions, not a calculation or a filing plan for any particular family.

Child support advice from Brampton across Ontario

Legal Route Professional Corporation provides family law services through lawyers licensed to practise law in Ontario. Depending on your needs and the agreed scope, we can review financial disclosure, assess support and additional-expense terms, advise on self-employed or variable income, draft or review an agreement, discuss a proposed change, and assist with negotiations or court proceedings where appropriate.

Where we assist

Our office is in Brampton. We assist family law clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto and the regions of Peel, York, Halton and Durham. Virtual appointments make advice available for suitable Ontario matters beyond the GTA, including communities such as Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London and Ottawa. We will explain any in-person, identification, signing or court attendance requirements for your matter; an appointment being virtual does not mean every step can be completed remotely.

Explore our Family Law services and learn about Vinay Thapliyal, Founder & Principal Lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 50/50 schedule eliminate child support?

No. Shared parenting may affect the assessment, but does not automatically eliminate a payment. The relevant table amounts and wider circumstances matter.

Can parents agree on their own amount?

Parents can make an agreement, but the applicable guidelines, the child's interests and adequate financial disclosure should inform its terms. An agreement does not make an inadequate or unclear arrangement risk-free.

Is the online table amount the final amount?

Not always. The look-up provides a basic amount. Shared parenting, qualifying expenses and the income figure used can affect the result. It is a starting point for understanding the question, not a personalized legal assessment.

Does child support automatically end at 18?

Not necessarily. Support for an adult child may continue depending on the governing law and circumstances, including education or an inability to withdraw from parental charge. Review the existing terms and facts before assuming payments end.

Can a parent stop paying after losing a job?

Job loss may be relevant to a change, but an existing order remains important. Current income evidence, the terms in force and any arrears need individual assessment.

Can we meet virtually if we live outside the GTA?

Yes, virtual consultations are available for suitable Ontario family law matters. Legal Route will explain what can be handled remotely and any identification, document, signing or attendance requirements that apply.

Related family law guides

• Divorce in Ontario: requirements, process, costs and timelines
• Separation agreements in Ontario: what to know before you sign

Official sources

For further reading on the rules discussed above:

• Department of Justice Canada: Child support
• Department of Justice Canada: 2025 child support table look-up
• Department of Justice Canada: Special or extraordinary expenses
• Ontario: Child and spousal support

Legal information disclaimer

This article provides general information about Ontario law and is not legal advice. Your rights and options depend on your circumstances, and laws and procedures may change. Contacting Legal Route does not, by itself, establish a lawyer-client relationship or confirm that the firm has agreed to act or protect a deadline. Representation and the scope of work must be confirmed.