Newmarket Child Support Lawyer

Clear Guidance For Parents Facing Child Support Decisions

When you are raising children in two households, child support affects almost every part of daily life. If you are in or near Newmarket and are unsure whether support has been set fairly, or you do not know what to do about unpaid support, you are not alone. At Feldstein Family Law Group P.C., we help Ontario parents understand how child support works and what options they have.

Our firm has focused on family law in Ontario since 1994, and our team has seen how stressful it is when money and parenting come together. We work with parents who pay support and those who receive it, and our goal is to help you reach arrangements that are fair and focused on your children’s needs. From our offices in the Greater Toronto Area, we regularly assist parents from communities such as Newmarket who want clear, practical advice.

To speak with our experienced Newmarket child support lawyers, call us at (905) 581-7222 or contact us online today. 

How We Help Parents With Child Support Issues

Parents usually contact us when something about child support feels uncertain, unfair, or unmanageable. Some are setting support for the first time during a separation. Others already have an order or agreement and are wondering if it should change because income, parenting time, or the children’s needs have shifted. Some are dealing with late or missing payments and are worried about making ends meet.

We start by listening carefully to your situation. That includes your income and the other parent’s income, the parenting schedule, and the children’s day to day and long term needs. By understanding the full picture, our family law lawyers can explain how the Child Support Guidelines may apply, and how different choices may affect both homes.

Our team works with parents to prepare, review, or update child support terms in separation agreements and court orders. In some matters, negotiation or other resolution methods may be the most efficient way to move forward. In others, court involvement may be needed to set, vary, or enforce support. We discuss the options with you so you can make informed decisions about the path that fits your situation.

Because Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. has focused on family law across Ontario since 1994, we have worked with many parents from the Newmarket area and other nearby communities. That experience allows us to recognize patterns, explain what is realistic, and help you avoid common mistakes that can create long term problems.

Understanding Child Support In Ontario

Child support in Ontario is guided by the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the provincial Family Law Act. These rules are designed to provide a predictable way to determine how much one parent usually pays to the other to help cover the children’s expenses. In many cases, the starting point is the table amount that depends on the paying parent’s income and the number of children.

On top of the basic table amount, parents may share certain special or extraordinary expenses, often called section 7 expenses. These can include items such as childcare needed so a parent can work, uninsured health and dental costs, or certain educational and extracurricular expenses. How these expenses are shared generally depends on each parent’s income and what is reasonable for the children.

Parenting time can also affect child support. When one parent has the children most of the time, the table amount is usually paid to that parent. When parenting time is more evenly shared, the Guidelines allow for a different calculation that considers what each parent would pay. High incomes, variable income, self employment, and stepchildren can add further layers of complexity.

Our role is to help you move beyond the abstract rules and understand what they mean for your family. We explain how income is typically determined under the Guidelines, how documentation is used, and what kinds of expenses are usually treated as special or extraordinary. Because our team has spent many years applying these rules in real Ontario cases, we can translate legal terms into day to day impact for you and your children.

Common Child Support Challenges We See From Newmarket Parents

Parents in the Newmarket area often face similar challenges, even though each family is unique. One of the most common issues is disagreement about income. This can arise when a parent is self employed, earns commission, works significant overtime, or receives bonuses. Questions can also come up if someone has recently changed jobs or is in a new relationship.

Another frequent concern involves special or extraordinary expenses. Parents may disagree about whether a cost, such as a particular sports program or tutoring, should be shared. They may also be unsure how to divide these expenses in a way that reflects their different incomes. These disagreements can create tension that affects both finances and co parenting.

Unpaid or late child support is a serious worry for many parents. In Ontario, the Family Responsibility Office is responsible for enforcing many child support orders and agreements that have been filed with the court. If payments are not being made, various enforcement measures may be available, and parents may need advice on what steps are appropriate in their circumstances.

We work with parents to address these kinds of challenges in a practical way. That may include reviewing financial disclosure, discussing how income might be assessed by a court, or helping you understand enforcement options that exist in Ontario. By drawing on our experience with similar matters, we help you evaluate your choices and decide how to move forward.

What To Do If You Are Worried About Child Support

When you are concerned about child support, it can be hard to know where to start. Taking a few practical steps can help you feel more in control and make any discussion with a family law lawyer more productive.

Helpful steps you can take now include:

• Gather financial documents. Collect recent tax returns, notices of assessment, pay stubs, records of employment insurance or other benefits, and any documents that show variable income such as commissions or bonuses.
• Organize existing agreements or orders. Keep copies of any separation agreements, court orders, or prior child support arrangements in one place, along with any written communication about support.
• Track children’s expenses. Make a simple list of regular costs such as school fees, childcare, medical costs, and extracurricular activities, including who pays what at the moment.
• Avoid quick decisions under pressure. Be cautious about agreeing to changes or signing new documents before you understand how they may affect you and your children in the long term.
• Consider getting legal advice early. Speaking with a family law lawyer before problems escalate can help you understand your rights and obligations, and may prevent misunderstandings from turning into larger disputes.

At Feldstein Family Law Group P.C., we use the information you bring to help identify the key issues and explain how Ontario’s child support rules may apply. Our goal is to help you come to any meeting feeling prepared and to make the best use of your time and energy.

Why Work With Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. For Child Support

Choosing a firm to help with child support is about more than legal knowledge. You need a team that understands the broader context of separation, parenting, and financial strain. Since 1994, Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. has focused on family law across Ontario, which means we have guided many parents through child support issues at different stages of their lives.

Our offices in Markham, Oakville, Mississauga, and Vaughan allow us to serve clients from across the region, including parents who live or work in Newmarket. Many clients appreciate the flexibility of meeting in person or using remote options when their schedules or distance make travel difficult. We work to make legal advice accessible for parents who are balancing work, school activities, and other responsibilities.

Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. is led by Andrew Feldstein, who is known for the Ask Andrew Show, a monthly program where he answers questions and discusses family law topics. This initiative reflects our commitment to clear and honest legal education. The same approach guides our work with clients. We aim to explain options in plain language so you can understand both the law and the practical implications for your family.

Above all, we strive to understand your specific situation and goals. Our team works to help parents reach fair, child focused outcomes rather than treating child support as a simple numbers exercise. That means considering parenting time, financial realities, and your children’s needs, then discussing approaches that respect all of those factors.

Our Process When You Contact Us About Child Support

Reaching out for legal help can feel like a big step. Knowing what to expect can make that step easier. When you contact us about child support, our first priority is to understand where things stand right now and what you are most worried about.

In an initial discussion, we typically review key information such as your income, the other parent’s income as you understand it, the parenting schedule, and any existing orders or agreements. We ask about your main concerns, whether that is the amount of support, changes in circumstances, or unpaid support. This helps us identify the main issues that need attention.

We then explain, in general terms, the range of options that may be available in Ontario. This can include negotiation, the use of separation agreements, and when appropriate, court processes to set, vary, or enforce support. We also talk about what documents are likely to be important, what steps might come next, and how long certain processes commonly take, keeping in mind that timelines can depend on factors outside anyone’s control.

Throughout, our focus is on giving you the information you need to make decisions that are right for your family. We aim to keep communication clear and to update you as your matter progresses. Our experience with Ontario family law allows us to guide you through each stage with a steady and practical approach.

To speak with our experienced Newmarket child support lawyers, call us at (905) 581-7222 or contact us online today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Is Child Support Calculated In Ontario?

Child support in Ontario is generally calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines. These Guidelines set out table amounts based on the paying parent’s income and the number of children. The income used is often the annual guideline income, which can be informed by tax returns, pay information, and other financial records.

In addition to the table amount, parents may share certain special or extraordinary expenses such as childcare, medical costs not covered by insurance, and some educational or extracurricular expenses. These are usually shared in proportion to each parent’s income. Our team helps parents understand which expenses typically fall into this category and how they may be shared in their circumstances.

Can I Change My Child Support If My Income Goes Up Or Down?

Child support can often be reviewed when there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as a meaningful increase or decrease in income. Whether support should change, and by how much, depends on the details, including the size of the income change, how long it has lasted, and what your agreement or order says about disclosure and review.

Sometimes parents are able to work together to update child support based on new information. In other situations, a more formal process, possibly involving the court, may be needed to vary support. We help parents assess whether a change may be appropriate, what information will be important, and what steps are available under Ontario law.

What Can I Do If The Other Parent Is Not Paying Child Support?

If child support is not being paid, it can create immediate financial stress. In Ontario, many child support orders and agreements are enforced through the Family Responsibility Office, which has tools available to encourage or compel payment. The specific steps that may be taken depend on the type of order or agreement and how it has been filed.

Parents who are facing unpaid support often need to understand both the enforcement options and how those options may affect the broader co parenting relationship. We discuss the mechanisms that may be available to you and help you consider how they fit with your goals and your children’s needs. Our role is to explain the legal framework so you can choose a path that makes sense for your situation.

Do I Need A Child Support Lawyer If We Agree On An Amount?

Even when parents agree on a child support amount, it is often wise to have that agreement reviewed by a family law lawyer. What seems fair in the moment may have unexpected consequences later if it does not align with the Guidelines or if it is unclear about how income changes will be handled. An agreement that is not properly documented may also be harder to enforce if problems arise.

We frequently assist parents who have reached a general understanding and want to make sure it is clear, practical, and consistent with Ontario law. Our team can help identify areas that may need more detail, explain how the agreement will likely be interpreted, and suggest ways to reduce misunderstandings in the future.

How Does Shared Parenting Time Affect Child Support?

When children spend close to equal time with both parents, child support is often more complex than in situations where one parent has most of the parenting time. The Guidelines allow for a different approach when each parent has the children at least a substantial portion of the time. In practice, that can involve comparing what each parent would pay and looking at the overall circumstances.

Courts and lawyers consider factors such as the actual parenting schedule, each parent’s income, and how costs are shared between the households. Our team helps parents understand how shared parenting arrangements may affect support in their case and what information they will need to have meaningful discussions or negotiations.

Can Your Firm Help Me With Child Support If I Live In Newmarket?

Yes, our firm regularly assists clients from many parts of Ontario, including parents who live in Newmarket and nearby communities. Family law matters such as child support are governed by Ontario and federal rules, so our experience in this area applies to parents throughout the province. You do not need to live close to one of our offices for us to work with you.

Many clients choose to meet with us using phone or video, while others prefer to come to one of our offices in the Greater Toronto Area. We will discuss what arrangement works best for you, taking into account travel, work schedules, and family responsibilities.

What Should I Bring To My First Meeting About Child Support?

Bringing key documents to your first meeting can make the conversation more productive. Helpful items typically include recent tax returns and notices of assessment, current pay information, details of any other income, and copies of existing separation agreements or court orders. If you receive or pay support already, records of those payments can also be useful.

It can also help to have a simple summary of the parenting schedule and a list of major expenses for the children, especially those that might be considered special or extraordinary. Our team will let you know if other documents may be helpful in your specific case, and we will work with whatever information you are able to provide.

Talk To Our Team About Your Child Support Questions

You do not have to navigate child support decisions on your own. If you are in the Newmarket area and have questions about how support should be set, changed, or enforced, speaking with a child support lawyer can provide much needed clarity. A conversation with our team can help you understand how Ontario’s rules apply to your situation and what practical options you have.

Since 1994, Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. has worked with parents across Ontario who want fair, child focused support arrangements. We combine our experience in family law with a commitment to clear communication so you can make informed choices for your family. Whether you are at the very beginning of a separation or dealing with changes years later, we are here to guide you.

To speak with our experienced Newmarket child support lawyers, call us at (905) 581-7222 or contact us online today.