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Difference between revisions of "Child Support"
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Child support is payable on the principle that both parents have a legal duty to financially contribute to their child's upbringing. The simple fact of parenthood triggers this obligation, even if the payor never sees the child and has no role in the child's life. Child support can also be payable by stepparents and people who are guardians and not parents, although the rules are slightly different for these people and their obligation is often tempered by a biological parent's obligation. | Child support is payable on the principle that both parents have a legal duty to financially contribute to their child's upbringing. The simple fact of parenthood triggers this obligation, even if the payor never sees the child and has no role in the child's life. Child support can also be payable by stepparents and people who are guardians and not parents, although the rules are slightly different for these people and their obligation is often tempered by a biological parent's obligation. | ||
An order for child support can be made under | An order for child support can be made under section 15(1) of the federal ''[[Divorce Act]]'' or section 149 of the provincial ''[[Family Law Act]]''. Alternatively, the parents can agree on child support in a separation agreement. Either way, the amount of support should, with only a few exceptions, conform to the rules set out in the federal [[Child Support Guidelines]]. | ||
The Guidelines contain a series of tables, particular to each province, which set out the amount payable based on the payor's income and the number of children for whom support is being paid. There are some exceptions to this basic rule, and they are described later in this chapter. The tables were most recently updated on November 22, 2017. For most people, the changes resulted in a small increase in the amount of child support payable. | The Guidelines contain a series of tables, particular to each province, which set out the amount payable based on the payor's income and the number of children for whom support is being paid. There are some exceptions to this basic rule, and they are described later in this chapter. The tables were most recently updated on November 22, 2017. For most people, the changes resulted in a small increase in the amount of child support payable. | ||
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===Qualifying for child support=== | ===Qualifying for child support=== | ||
Definitions play an important role in determining eligibility and responsibility for child support under the ''[[Family Law Act]]'', just as they do under the ''[[Divorce Act]]''. Section 147 of the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' says that each parent and guardian of a child is responsible for the support of that child, and | Definitions play an important role in determining eligibility and responsibility for child support under the ''[[Family Law Act]]'', just as they do under the ''[[Divorce Act]]''. Section 147 of the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' says that each parent and guardian of a child is responsible for the support of that child, and section 146 defines ''child'', ''parent'', and ''guardian'' as follows: | ||
<blockquote><tt>"child" includes a person who is 19 years of age or older and unable, because of illness, disability or another reason, to obtain the necessaries of life or withdraw from the charge of his or her parents or guardians;</tt></blockquote> | <blockquote><tt>"child" includes a person who is 19 years of age or older and unable, because of illness, disability or another reason, to obtain the necessaries of life or withdraw from the charge of his or her parents or guardians;</tt></blockquote> | ||