Difference between revisions of "Changing Family Law Orders, Awards and Agreements Involving Child Support"

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<blockquote>A review of the case law reveals that there are a number of factors which have been regarded as significant in determining whether to order or not to order retroactive child maintenance.  Factors militating in favour of ordering retroactive maintenance include: (1) the need on the part of the child and a corresponding ability to pay on the part of the non-custodial parent; (2) some blameworthy conduct on the part of the non-custodial parent such as incomplete or misleading financial disclosure at the time of the original order; (3) necessity on the part of the custodial parent to encroach on his or her capital or incur debt to meet child rearing expenses; (4) an excuse for a delay in bringing the application where the delay is significant; and (5) notice to the non-custodial parent of an intention to pursue maintenance followed by negotiations to that end.</blockquote>
<blockquote>A review of the case law reveals that there are a number of factors which have been regarded as significant in determining whether to order or not to order retroactive child maintenance.  Factors militating in favour of ordering retroactive maintenance include: (1) the need on the part of the child and a corresponding ability to pay on the part of the non-custodial parent; (2) some blameworthy conduct on the part of the non-custodial parent such as incomplete or misleading financial disclosure at the time of the original order; (3) necessity on the part of the custodial parent to encroach on his or her capital or incur debt to meet child rearing expenses; (4) an excuse for a delay in bringing the application where the delay is significant; and (5) notice to the non-custodial parent of an intention to pursue maintenance followed by negotiations to that end.</blockquote>


When hearing an application for retroactive child support, the court would apply these factors in deciding whether a retroactive award was warranted and, if so, how much the award should be for and when the retroactive effect of the order should begin.
A court would apply these factors in deciding:
* is a retroactive award appropriate,  
* if so, how much the award should be for, and  
* from what date the retroactive order should begin.


===A change in the law: ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.''===
===A change in the law: ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.''===

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