Estimate monthly child support for any Canadian province or territory based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Select your province, enter the payor's gross annual income and number of children to see the table amount.
Select your province or territory and use the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables to estimate monthly payments.
In addition to basic child support, courts can order parents to share special expenses in proportion to their incomes.
Include childcare, medical/dental, educational, extracurricular activities, and post-secondary costs
Compare per-capita household income to assess which household has the higher standard of living.
Convert non-employment income to guideline income equivalent for child support purposes.
Calculate total retroactive child support across multiple guideline table versions. Enter the payor's income for each year, and indicate whether shared/split custody or offsetting obligations applied in any period.
Estimate spousal support ranges using the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines formulas.
Child support in Canada is determined by the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The amount is based primarily on two factors: the gross annual income of the paying parent and the number of children. The Guidelines use standardized tables — one for each province and territory — to set a base monthly amount that reflects what a parent at that income level would typically contribute toward their child's expenses if the family were still together. These amounts are not negotiable — they are the legal starting point.
Income for child support purposes is based on Line 15000 of the payor's income tax return (total income before deductions). However, courts can look beyond the tax return. If a parent is self-employed, earns cash income, has the use of a company vehicle, receives dividends rather than salary, or is intentionally underemployed, the court may impute income — that is, assign a higher income than what is reported. Full financial disclosure is mandatory under the Family Law Rules.
If each parent has the child at least 40% of the time (shared custody), the calculation changes. The court compares what each parent would pay under the tables and typically uses the difference — known as the "set-off" amount. Split custody (where each parent has primary care of at least one child) uses a similar offset approach. These arrangements require careful analysis.
Child support can be varied when there is a material change in circumstances — a significant change in income, a change in the parenting schedule, or a child reaching an age where support may no longer be required. Support does not automatically end at 18 — it continues as long as the child remains a dependent, which often means through post-secondary education. Retroactive support claims can also be brought if a parent was underpaying.
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Whether you are seeking support, responding to a claim, or need to vary an existing order — we can help. Book a consultation to discuss your specific situation.
This calculator provides estimates based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual child support may differ based on shared parenting arrangements, special expenses (Section 7), undue hardship claims, or other factors. This tool does not constitute legal advice.
Persaud Hussain LLP is an Ontario-based law firm. For legal advice specific to your province or territory, consult a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.