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Child Support Protecting Your Family's Interests for Over 30 Years

Ontario Child Support Lawyers

How Is Child Support Determined?

Normally, the parent who is granted primary physical residence of the child is the one who will probably be incurring the daily expenses associated with raising him or her. As a result, that parent may be compensated so to lessen the burden, the impact, and the effect that these expenses could have.

However, the child spends more than 40% or more of his or her time with each parent annually (referred to as “shared custody” or “shared parenting time”), under s. 9 of the Child Support Guidelines the court is to determine the amount of support by taking into account:

  • The amounts set out in the applicable tables for each of the spouses;
  • The increased costs of shared custody or parenting time arrangements; and
  • The conditions, means, needs and other circumstances of each spouse and the child or children for whom support is sought.

Call our Ontario child support lawyers at  (905) 581-7222 for a free consultation! We have offices in Mississauga, Vaughan, Oakville& Markham.

Financial Obligation Towards Children

You should also be aware that all dependent children have a legal right to be financially supported by their parents and the right to benefit from the financial means of their parents. Therefore, if you are a parent who is granted parenting time under the Children’s Law Reform Act or do not have primary parenting time or decision-making responsibility under the Divorce Act, (and there are no special circumstances that must be considered such as undue hardship) you will most likely be required to pay child support.

This financial obligation towards your children continues even if your former spouse remarries or starts to live with someone else.

Much like parenting time/decision-making responsibility issues, there are two Acts that help to establish entitlement to child support and that determine the amount payable:

  • The Divorce Act applies to situations where there is a legally married couple who has either divorced or is in the process of getting a divorce.
  • The Family Law Act is used to settle disputes about child support between two individuals who are:
    • Not married; or
    • Are legally married and opting to separate as opposed to divorce.

For a free consultation regarding your child support case, call (905) 581-7222.


How is Child Support Calculated?

The Federal Child Support Guidelines SOR 97-175 and the provincial Child Support Guidelines O. Reg. 391/97, which are regulations to both the Divorce Act and the Family Law Act, are used to determine the quantum (amount) that is to be paid.

The courts will consider the income of the paying parent together with the number of children and then look to the child support tables found in Schedule I which list the monthly amounts payable based on the information given. The income of the recipient is only required under certain circumstances.

You should note that there is a presumption in the guidelines that the table amounts will always be used, however if there is a reason to deviate from the table amounts then the courts will allow it and order a different amount. Remember that the child support guidelines are law and not simply advisory therefore they will always be considered and applied.

Modifying Child Support Orders

Life circumstances can change, and it's important to know that child support orders are not set in stone. If your financial situation or the needs of your child have changed, you may be able to modify your child support agreement. Our experienced Ontario child support lawyers can help you navigate the legal process of modifying child support orders to ensure that they accurately reflect your current situation.

Reasons for modifying child support orders may include:

  • Change in income for either parent
  • Change in the child's needs or expenses
  • Change in custody arrangements
  • Emancipation of the child

Don't hesitate to reach out to our Markham law firm for guidance on modifying child support orders to better meet the needs of your family.

Your Child Support Rights & Responsibilities in Toronto and the Surrounding Areas

When the decision to separate or divorce has been made and you and your former spouse/partner have settled any issues regarding parenting time and decision-making responsibility, the next step is to establish the amount payable for child support. This is an important matter to resolve, and having a skilled Ontario child support lawyer on your side can help ensure the preservation of your rights.

Since 1994, Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. has represented families in Toronto Mississauga, Vaughan, Oakville, Markham and throughout Ontario in child support cases. We take pride in delivering quality legal representation in the most complex and challenging divorce and family law matters, including those that involve children. Whether you may be required to pay or entitled to receive child support, our Ontario lawyers can protect your interests.


To Find Out More About This Key Issue, Call an Ontario Child Support Lawyer at (905) 581-7222. Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. is Here To Help You.


 

Meet Our Dedicated Team of Lawyers

Over a Century of Collective Experience
  • Andrew  Feldstein Photo
    Andrew Feldstein Founder

    Andrew Feldstein graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1992. Prior to focusing exclusively on family law, Andrew’s legal practice covered many different areas, including corporate commercial. One of Andrew’s fundamental objectives is to achieve those goals mutually and collaboratively, as set out by him and his client.

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  • Daphna  Schwartz Photo
    Daphna Schwartz Lawyer

    Daphna Schwartz joined Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. in 2007 as an associate lawyer. She was previously practising family law in the Barrie area. Her practice includes all areas of divorce and family law, including custody and access, child support, spousal support, and property issues. Daphna is also qualified to practise Collaborative Family Law.

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  • Anna  Troitschanski Photo
    Anna Troitschanski Lawyer

    Anna Troitschanski joined the team at Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. in 2012. Prior to that, she practised Family Law at a boutique Newmarket firm. Her experience covers all areas of divorce and family law, including custody and access, child support, spousal support, and division of property.

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  • Nick  Slinko Photo
    Nick Slinko Lawyer

    Nick Slinko attended York University from 2003 until 2007 where he majored in both Law & Society and Philosophy. Nick graduated in 2007 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. He proceeded to earn a Juris Doctor in Law at the University of Western Ontario in 2011. Nick was Called to the Bar in June of 2012 after completing his Articling term with the Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. He became an associate with the firm immediately thereafter.

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  • Veronica  Yeung Photo
    Veronica Yeung Lawyer

    Veronica Yeung joined the Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. as a summer student in 2014 and returned as an articling student in 2015. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in June 2016, Veronica was welcomed to the team as an associate lawyer.

    Veronica attended York University for her undergraduate studies and graduated as a member of the Dean’s Honour Roll when she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Honours Criminology.

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  • Shana  Gordon-Katz Photo
    Shana Gordon-Katz Lawyer

    Shana joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. as an articling student in 2017. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in June 2018, Shana was welcomed back to the firm as an associate. While completing her articles, Shana assisted with legal matters covering all areas of family law.

    Shana attended the University of Western Ontario for her undergraduate studies, where she graduated as the gold medalist of her program, Honors Specialization in Classical Studies.

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  • Rachel  Zweig Photo
    Rachel Zweig Lawyer

    Rachel joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C as a Summer Student in 2019 and returned as an Articling Student in 2020-2021. Following her Call to the Ontario Bar in April 2021, Rachel was welcomed back to the firm as an Associate.

    Prior to completing her legal studies and obtaining her Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa, Rachel obtained her Bachelor’s Degree at Ryerson University with a major in English Literature.

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  • Lauren  Harvey Photo
    Lauren Harvey Associate Lawyer

    Lauren joined Feldstein Family Law Group as a Summer Student in 2020 and returned as an Articling Student in 2021-2022. Following her Call to the Ontario Bar in April 2022, Lauren was welcomed back to the firm as an Associate.

    Prior to completing her legal studies and obtaining her Juris Doctor at the University of Western Ontario, Lauren obtained her Honour’s Bachelor of Arts Degree at Wilfrid Laurier University majoring in Criminology and minoring in Law and Society.

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  • Quinn  Held Photo
    Quinn Held Associate Lawyer

    Quinn spent two years as a Summer Student and then completed her Articling term at a boutique Family Law firm in Orangeville, where she was exposed to various complex Family Law matters. Following her Call to the Bar of Ontario in June 2022, she became an Associate with the Feldstein Family Law Group.

    Prior to obtaining her Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor, Quinn obtained her Honour’s Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Guelph majoring in Criminal Justice and Public Policy and minoring in International Development.

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