Everything you need to know about child support in Ontario—from calculations to court forms—explained in simple terms.
Child support is money paid by one parent to the other to help cover a child's everyday needs, such as:
Usually, the parent the child lives with most of the time receives child support. In shared parenting situations, the higher‑income parent may pay support.
Child support is required by law under the Federal Child Support Guidelines and is enforced by the Family Responsibility Office (FRO), which collects and enforces payments.
Ontario uses the Federal Child Support Guidelines (Ontario tables). The amount depends on several factors:
The table amount is used based on income and number of children.
A "set‑off" is usually used. Each parent's table amount is calculated, and the higher‑income parent pays the difference.
A parent earning about $60,000 per year would pay around $528 per month for one child under 18 who lives mostly with the other parent.
In addition to regular child support, parents usually share special or extra expenses, called Section 7 expenses. These are usually split based on each parent's income (for example, 60/40).
Necessary
Must be in the child's best interests
Reasonable
Must be affordable for the parents
Childcare needed for work or school
Expenses over $100 per year (braces, glasses, therapy)
Tutoring or education for specific needs
Sports, music lessons (if reasonable)
The links below provide access to the Family Law Rules forms. You can also obtain copies of these forms at your nearest courthouse. When using the Family Law Rules forms online, please check with your local courthouse to ensure you are using the most up-to-date version.
If responding to a case started by the other parent, you file Form 10 – Answer.
View Form 10If child support is requested, financial disclosure is required.
All forms are on the official Ontario Court Forms website
Visit Ontario Court FormsUse this checklist to stay organized throughout the filing process
Parents can make a written child support agreement, file it with the court, and have it enforced by FRO.
Ontario also offers online services to help arrange child support in simpler cases.
This guide is for information only and does not replace legal advice. Legal clinics or duty counsel may be able to help if you qualify.
Every family's situation is unique. Get personalized guidance on child support, Section 7 expenses, and how to navigate the court process with confidence.
Helping Ontario families understand child support