Child Support Agreements in Calgary

How Child Support Is Calculated in Alberta

• The paying parent’s gross annual income — the starting point is line 15000 of their most recent tax return. For employees with straightforward income this is simply total income before deductions. Self-employed parents need more care, because business expenses may be added back to arrive at the income actually available for support.
• Number of children — the Federal Child Support Tables set different amounts for one, two, three or more children. Each additional child raises the base amount, though not proportionally.
• The parenting arrangement — where one parent has the children most of the time, the other pays the full table amount. Under shared parenting (each parent at least 40% of the time) each parent’s table amount is calculated and the higher earner generally pays the difference. Under split parenting, each pays for the children in the other’s care and the difference is paid across.

• Child care costs incurred because a parent works, attends school, or has a disability
• Health-related expenses exceeding $100 annually that are not covered by insurance (orthodontics, therapy, prescription medications)
• Extraordinary extracurricular activities — competitive sports, private music lessons, elite training programs
• Post-secondary education expenses — tuition, books, residence fees
• Private school tuition, where private schooling is in the child’s best interests

• The monthly amount, and the income figure it was calculated from, so the basis is on the record
• Payment date and method, including whether payments go through the Maintenance Enforcement Program
• Section 7 expenses — which ones are shared, in what proportion, and how receipts are exchanged
• Annual exchange of tax returns, so the amount is adjusted as income changes rather than drifting out of date
• When support ends, and what happens if a child enrols in post-secondary education

• Full-time post-secondary education — a child attending university, college, or a recognised trade program full time is generally considered unable to withdraw from parental charge
• Part-time post-secondary education — support may still be appropriate depending on the child’s overall circumstances and ability to support themselves
• Illness or disability — a child with a physical or mental health condition that prevents independent living
• Inability to obtain the necessities of life — broader circumstances where the child cannot provide food, shelter, and clothing independently

• The other parent’s income is disputed, or you believe it is being understated
• A parent will not provide tax returns or financial disclosure
• Income needs to be imputed because a parent is intentionally under-employed or diverting income
• Arrears have accumulated and need to be enforced, or an enforcement action needs to be answered
• A variation is needed and the other parent opposes it

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support Agreements in Calgary