Toronto Child Support Lawyers, Calculated Right, Enforced Properly
Our Toronto child support lawyers at 55 University Avenue calculate table amounts under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, address section 7 special and extraordinary expenses, bring variation applications, and enforce support through the Family Responsibility Office.
Child SupportSection 7 ExpensesFRO EnforcementSupport Variation55 University AveFree Consultation
55 University Avenue, Toronto | Child Support | Section 7 Expenses | FRO & Enforcement | Free Consultations
Toronto Child Support Lawyers, Calculated Right, Enforced Properly, key facts
Tableamount
Federal Child Support Guidelines table determines the base amount, calculated from the payor's income and number of children
S.7expenses
Section 7 special and extraordinary expenses are shared proportionally, childcare, medical, education, activities
Nowaiver
Child support cannot be waived in Ontario. It belongs to the child, not the parent, and courts will not enforce a waiver
Freeconsultation
All new clients receive a free initial consultation on support entitlement and calculation
Child Support
Child Support in Ontario, How It Works
Child support in Ontario is governed by the Federal Child Support Guidelines (for married parents) and Ontario's Child Support Guidelines (for unmarried parents). The two sets of guidelines are essentially identical. The base amount (the "table amount") is determined by the payor's gross annual income and the number of children. It is not negotiable in the sense that courts will not approve agreements that pay less than the table amount without specific justification.
In addition to the table amount, section 7 of the Guidelines requires parents to share "special or extraordinary expenses" in proportion to their incomes. These include childcare costs, medical and dental premiums, uninsured health expenses, extraordinary extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education costs.
Child support is one of the most litigated areas of Ontario family law, because incomes change, parenting arrangements change, and expenses grow as children get older. Our Toronto child support lawyers handle initial orders, variation applications, retroactive support claims, and enforcement proceedings.
Ontario Family Courts
Ontario Family Courts, Toronto Locations
Our office is within reach of the key courts for your matter. We appear in these courts regularly and know the local judicial culture well.
Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Toronto
361 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1T3
5 min walk
Handles child support in divorce proceedings and for variation of existing support orders.
Child SupportDivorce-Connected SupportVariation OrdersRetroactive Support
Ontario Court of Justice, Toronto
60 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2M4
8 min walk
Handles standalone child support applications. Most first child support applications for separated unmarried parents are filed here.
Child Support OrdersSection 7 ExpensesFRO RegistrationUrgent Motions
Your Legal Team
Ontario Bar Association members
Dedicated, results-driven legal counsel
Our Practice
Child Support Services in Toronto
We represent Toronto parents on all aspects of child support, from initial orders and section 7 disputes to variation applications and FRO enforcement.
Table Amount Calculation
Child Support Calculations, Toronto
The table amount is calculated from the payor's line 15000 gross income from the most recent tax return, subject to adjustments under the Guidelines. For self-employed payors, business owners, or payors with non-employment income, income imputation and corporate attribution can dramatically affect the calculation. We perform accurate income analysis and table amount calculations for both payors and recipients.
Line 15000 gross income calculation
Self-employment income analysis
Corporate attribution (s. 18)
Income imputation for unemployed payors
Multiple child calculations
Shared parenting set-off (s. 9)
Section 7 Special Expenses
Section 7 Expenses, Toronto
Section 7 expenses are shared proportionally between parents and are in addition to the table amount. They include childcare required for employment, medical and dental insurance premiums, extraordinary healthcare costs, primary or secondary school programs, and post-secondary expenses. Disputes about what qualifies as a section 7 expense, and what is "extraordinary", are common.
Childcare cost allocation
Medical and dental premiums
Uninsured healthcare expenses
Extracurricular activity costs
Post-secondary education expenses
Private school fees
Variation and Retroactive Support
Support Variation, Toronto
Child support must be updated when incomes change. A payor with a lower income has the right to pay less; a recipient can claim more when the payor's income increases. Courts can also order retroactive support for periods when the payor failed to disclose income increases. We bring and defend variation applications, calculate support at historic income levels, and negotiate updated terms in separation agreement amendments.
Annual income review obligations
Retroactive support claims
Variation application preparation
Defence of variation applications
Negotiation of updated support terms
FRO enforcement when payor defaults
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can parents agree to less than the table amount?
Generally no. Courts will not approve an agreement that pays less than the table amount unless the parties can demonstrate "other arrangements" that directly benefit the child and result in at least the same total benefit. In practice, reducing child support below the table amount in an agreement is very difficult and courts are skeptical of attempts to do so.
What if the payor refuses to disclose their income?
Courts can impute income to a payor who refuses to disclose financial information or who is intentionally unemployed or underemployed. We can bring a motion for disclosure and, if the payor continues to refuse, ask the court to impute an income based on the payor's employment history, skills, and the local job market.
Does child support change when we have shared parenting time?
Yes, but not automatically. Under section 9 of the Guidelines, when a parent has 40% or more of parenting time, the court uses a set-off calculation, each parent's table amount is calculated based on their income, and the higher earner pays the difference. The court then considers the increased costs of shared parenting and the standard of living in each household.
Until what age is a parent required to pay child support?
In Ontario, child support continues for children who are under 18, or who are 18 or over but still unable to withdraw from parental care due to illness, disability, or full-time enrollment in an educational program. Post-secondary students can receive child support, but the amount and terms are often different from the table amount.
Can I enforce child support through the Family Responsibility Office?
Yes. Once a child support order or registered agreement exists, the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) automatically enforces it, garnishing wages, intercepting federal payments, suspending driver's licences, and reporting to credit bureaus. FRO enforcement is free and automatic once support is registered.
What is retroactive child support?
Retroactive child support is support owed for a period in the past, typically when the payor had a higher income than what support was based on and failed to disclose it. Courts can order retroactive support going back up to three years before the date of application in most cases. Interest may also be awarded.
Book a Consultation
Child Support, Free Initial Consultation
Our family lawyers offer free initial consultations. Call us, email us, or use our contact form to book your appointment.
Lexaltico LLP
Downtown Toronto
55 University Ave, Suite 1100 Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Mississauga
90 Matheson Blvd W, Suite 101, Mississauga, ON L5R 3R3
North York
4750 Yonge St, Suite 600, North York, ON M2N 0J6
Oakville
277 Lakeshore Rd E, Suite 408, Oakville, ON L6J 1H9
Every case is unique. These anonymized examples illustrate the types of results our team has achieved. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.
Family Law
High-Net-Worth Divorce Settlement
Secured 63% asset division for client with complex multi-property portfolio
Our client faced a contested divorce involving multiple properties across Ontario, RRSPs, and a family business valued at $4.2M. Through strategic negotiation and forensic accounting analysis, we achieved a division significantly above the standard equalization payment, protecting our client's business interests while ensuring fair spousal support terms.
Favourable Settlement
Child Custody
Emergency Custody Order — Child at Risk
Obtained emergency sole custody within 48 hours
When credible evidence of an unsafe environment emerged, our team filed an urgent motion under the Children's Law Reform Act. The court granted our client temporary sole custody and supervised access within two business days, protecting the children while the matter proceeded to a full hearing.
“My experience with Jia was exceptional. I am impressed with the level of professionalism and empathy they handle my situation. Jia and her team provided me with excellent guidance during the entire process, they never left me alone. They made me feel secure and confident all the time.”
— Brenda Mazzuchi
★★★★★
“I had the privilege of being represented by Ms. Jia Junaid and Ms. Nicole Sexton for a complex family law matter involving divorce, property division, and parenting arrangements. Their attention to detail and deep knowledge of family law were evident at every stage. What stood out most was their balanced approach: strong and strategic in negotiations, yet sensitive and supportive.”
— Maryam
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Most matters qualify for a complimentary 30-minute virtual consultation. For a small number of complex or multi-issue files, a nominal fee may apply — this will always be disclosed to you upfront before any consultation takes place and will be credited in full toward your fees if you retain Lexaltico LLP. The complimentary consultation constitutes a general introductory discussion only and does not constitute legal advice. It does not create a solicitor-client relationship, and no duty of confidentiality arises until such a relationship has been formally confirmed in writing.
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Limitation Periods
Failure to commence proceedings within applicable limitation periods may permanently bar your claim. In Ontario, the general limitation period is two (2) years from discovery under the Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sched. B. Seek legal advice promptly.
Past Results & Testimonials
Any client testimonials, case results, recoveries or outcomes referred to on this website are illustrative only. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future outcomes. Each legal matter turns on its own facts; the outcome of any particular matter cannot be guaranteed and depends on circumstances unique to that matter. No statement on this website should be read as a promise or prediction of any particular result.