A parent’s child support obligation can be determined by referencing the Child Support Guidelines. The Guidelines take into account the non-custodial parent’s gross income and the number of dependent children to calculate the amount of child support payable. Generally when a child lives with one parent for more than 60% of the time, the non-custodial parent will be obligated to pay the full amount specified in the Guidelines to the custodial parent for the support of the child. “Parent” may include a step-parent if they have stood in the place of a parent to the child.
In addition to the Guideline support amount, each parent will also be expected to contribute to the children’s “special or extra-ordinary expenses” including childcare, medical expenses, extra-curricular activities, and post-secondary education expenses. These expenses are usually shared by parents in proportion with their respective incomes.
Under certain circumstances child support may continue after a child reaches the age of 18; for instance if the child is in school full-time or suffers from an illness or disability that prevents them from becoming financially independent then a parent would continue to be obligated to pay child support.
A useful tool to help you determine the amount of support you may be required to pay can be calculated here – MySupportCalculator
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