Child & Spousal Support Insights
Separating parents and spouses often have urgent, practical questions about money — whether child support will be owed, how amounts are generally worked out, and whether spousal support might apply at all. This hub brings together plain-language guides on child support, special or extraordinary expenses, spousal support, and what happens when support isn't paid, each written as a general orientation rather than a substitute for personalized advice. Where you want more technical depth or a free calculator, every guide below links out to our complete reference pages and tools.
All Child & Spousal Support Insights
Choose the guide closest to your question.
Child Support in Ontario: How It Generally Works
A general introduction to how child support is approached after separation.
Child & Spousal SupportSection 7 Expenses in Ontario Family Law
What special or extraordinary expenses generally cover and how they're generally shared.
Child & Spousal SupportSpousal Support in Ontario: A Plain-Language Guide
General factors considered, and how spousal support differs from child support.
Child & Spousal SupportWhat If the Other Parent Won't Pay Child Support?
A general overview of the options available when child support isn't being paid.
Child & Spousal SupportDoes 50/50 Parenting Mean No Child Support?
Why shared parenting time doesn't automatically cancel out child support in Ontario.
Child & Spousal SupportHow Is Spousal Support Different From Child Support?
A plain-language look at how these two types of support are generally treated differently.
Child & Spousal SupportCan Child Support Change Over Time?
A general look at what can lead to a child support amount being revisited.
Child & Spousal SupportDoes Child Support End When a Child Turns 18?
A general look at why child support doesn't always stop at the age of majority.
Child & Spousal SupportChild Support for a Child With a Disability in Ontario
A general look at how child support can generally continue, sometimes indefinitely, for a child who has a disability or illness.
Child & Spousal SupportWhat Happens to Child Support If the Paying Parent Loses Their Job?
A general look at what's generally involved when a paying parent's income changes significantly, such as after a job loss.
Child & Spousal SupportCan Child Support Be Waived in Ontario?
A general look at why child support generally can't simply be waived by agreement — because it's considered the child's right, not the parents'.
Child & Spousal SupportHow Self-Employment Income Affects Child Support Calculations
A general look at how child support calculations generally work when a parent's income isn't a straightforward salary.
Child & Spousal SupportWhat If a Parent Is Hiding Income to Avoid Paying Support?
A general look at what can generally be done if you suspect the other parent isn't honestly disclosing their income for support purposes.
Child & Spousal SupportIs Spousal Support Permanent in Ontario?
A general look at whether spousal support is generally meant to be permanent, time-limited, or somewhere in between.
Child & Spousal SupportCan Spousal Support Be Paid as a Lump Sum?
A general look at lump-sum spousal support — a one-time payment instead of ongoing periodic payments, and when it tends to come up.
Child & Spousal SupportDoes a New Relationship End Spousal Support?
A general look at whether starting a new relationship, or moving in with a new partner, automatically ends spousal support.
Child & Spousal SupportHow the Family Responsibility Office Enforces Support Orders
A general look at the Family Responsibility Office — what it is, how support orders generally get filed with it, and the tools it generally has to enforce them.
Child & Spousal SupportWhat Happens If You Fall Behind on Support Payments?
A general look at what generally happens when support payments fall behind in Ontario, and the options generally available.
Frequently Asked Questions
General questions people often have about child and spousal support in Ontario.
What is the difference between child support and spousal support?
Child support is generally treated as the child's right and is not automatic, based mainly on parental income and parenting time. Spousal support belongs to a spouse or partner, is never automatic, and generally depends on showing entitlement based on the relationship's history and each person's circumstances.
Do I need to go to court to get child or spousal support?
Not necessarily. Many people work out support amounts through negotiation, mediation, or with help from legal professionals, and then put the terms in a written agreement. Court is generally only needed when people cannot agree, or when a filed order or agreement needs to be enforced.
Can I get a rough estimate of support before speaking with a lawyer?
Yes. Our free child support calculator and spousal support estimator can give a general, educational ballpark based on the figures you enter. Treat any result as a starting point for a conversation, not a final or legally binding number.
Does shared or 50/50 parenting time cancel out child support?
Not automatically. Even with close to equal parenting time, support is often still payable, generally reflecting any difference between the parents' incomes and the added cost of maintaining two homes for the child. Shared-parenting situations are calculated differently, not automatically eliminated.
What can I do if support isn't being paid?
If support is set out in a court order, or in a written agreement filed with the court, it can generally be registered with Ontario's Family Responsibility Office, which has tools to collect support directly, including from wages.
Official Resources
A few official starting points for reading further directly from primary sources.
- Child Support — Department of Justice Canada Federal overview of the Child Support Guidelines and how basic support obligations are generally framed.
- Spousal Support — Department of Justice Canada Federal overview of spousal support concepts and general factors considered under the Divorce Act.
- Paying and Receiving Child and Spousal Support — Ontario.ca Explains how support payments and the Family Responsibility Office generally work in Ontario.
- Child Support — Steps to Justice Plain-language, step-by-step guidance on child support topics for Ontario parents.
Family Law in Ontario is not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above. Guidelines figures and enforcement procedures are set by regulation and can change — always confirm current details directly with the source before relying on them.
Related Topics
Separation & Divorce Insights
Plain-language guides on separating, divorcing, and what changes along the way.
Read moreParenting & Children Insights
Guides on parenting time, decision-making, and children's best interests.
Read moreProperty & Finances Insights
Guides on dividing property, debts, and financial disclosure after separation.
Read moreTools & Calculators
Free, educational calculators and wizards, including for support and property.
Read moreFamily-Law Glossary
Plain-language definitions of common family law terms used across this site.
Read moreSpeak With an Ontario Family Lawyer
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