February 4, 2025
The Supreme Court of Canada has stated: “upon the birth of a child, parents are immediately placed in the role of guardians and providers.” Support obligations in Ontario are governed by the principles that child support is the right of the child, their right to support survives the breakdown of the parent’s relationship, children should continue to enjoy the standard of living they did prior to the breakdown of the relationship and the amount of support will depend on the support payor’s income. The Child Support Guidelines were created to make child support obligations simple and predicable for courts and parents. The goal being that children benefit from the support they are owed, on a regular basis. In shared parenting arrangements, child support may be set-off as between the parents. The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) enforces child support payments upon the court making an order for support, or upon parents filing an agreement for support with the court. That said, parents can withdraw from FRO if they expressly agree in writing. There are several ways entitlement to child support can end, some of which include the child turning 18 years of age, withdrawing from parental control, completing post-secondary education, or becoming employed. Child support issues can be complex. River Law will provide you with advice and guidance you need to navigate this area of law.