Child Support
Lawyers in Toronto
Ensuring Your Children Get What They Are Entitled To.
Child support in Ontario is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines — but real-life income situations are rarely as simple as the tables suggest. Legal Solutions Law Firm secures fair, accurate, and enforceable child support arrangements.
Federal Child Support Guidelines
Guideline Support, Applied Correctly
Child support in Ontario is governed by the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which set a base amount ("Table" support) determined by the paying parent's income, the province of residence, and the number of children. On top of Table support, parents typically share the cost of certain "special or extraordinary expenses" — known as section 7 expenses — such as childcare, medical and dental costs, and extracurricular activities.
While the Guidelines appear straightforward, disputes are common: parents who are self-employed, paid partly in dividends, underemployed, or living outside Canada often require a more detailed income determination than the tables alone provide. Shared and split parenting arrangements also change how support is calculated.
Legal Solutions Law Firm handles child support calculations, negotiations, enforcement, and variation applications for parents across the GTA — ensuring your children receive the support the law entitles them to, whether you are the recipient or the payor.
We identify true income for self-employed, commission-based, or underemployed parents — not just what appears on a tax return.
We negotiate fair proportional sharing of childcare, medical, and extracurricular costs beyond base Table support.
When support goes unpaid, we pursue enforcement through the Family Responsibility Office and the courts.
We bring or respond to motions to change support when income or circumstances materially change.
Real-World Scenarios
Common Child Support Scenarios
Child support disputes usually center on the numbers, not the law itself. These are situations we regularly resolve for Toronto parents.
Self-Employed Parent Reports Modest Income
A payor's corporation absorbs personal expenses, making reported income look lower than actual earning capacity. We identify the true income figure for support purposes.
Overtime or Bonus-Heavy Income
Where income fluctuates significantly year to year, we help establish a fair averaging approach or an annual reconciliation process for support.
Recipient Believes Income Is Understated
We pursue full financial disclosure and, where necessary, income imputation when a payor appears to be deliberately underemployed or underreporting.
Adult Child Attending University
Support obligations often continue past age 18 for a child in full-time post-secondary studies — we help determine whether and how much support remains payable.
What We Handle
Child Support Matters We Handle
From straightforward Table support calculations to complex income disputes, we handle the full range of Toronto child support matters.
Our Approach
How We Handle Your Case
We review your income situation, your children's needs, and provide an initial estimate of Guideline support — at no cost.
We gather income documentation from both parents, including tax returns, pay stubs, and business records where relevant.
We calculate accurate Table and section 7 support figures, addressing any income determination issues that apply.
We negotiate a fair support agreement, or bring a motion to court where the other parent will not agree to accurate figures.
We ensure the final support arrangement is properly documented as a court order or agreement, protecting your ability to enforce it.
We remain available for future variation applications or enforcement if income or circumstances change.
Plain Language Legal Guide
Child Support — What You Need to Know
How Table Support Is Calculated
Table support is based on the paying parent's gross annual income, the number of children, and the province where the paying parent lives. Ontario has its own Table published under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
Support is generally payable until a child turns 18, and often continues beyond that if the child remains dependent — for example, while attending post-secondary school full-time.
When Income Isn't Straightforward
For self-employed parents, business owners, and those paid through dividends or corporate structures, "income" for support purposes is not always the same figure reported on a tax return. Courts can add back certain business expenses and impute income where a parent is deliberately underemployed.
These income disputes are among the most common — and most contested — issues in child support cases, and require careful financial analysis to resolve fairly.
Section 7 Special Expenses
Beyond Table support, parents typically share the cost of specific extraordinary expenses in proportion to their incomes — including childcare needed for work, medical and dental costs not covered by insurance, and certain extracurricular or educational expenses.
Disputes often arise over whether an expense qualifies as "extraordinary" and whether it was reasonably necessary — we help clients navigate these disagreements.
What Happens If Support Isn't Paid
Ontario support orders are enforced by the Family Responsibility Office (FRO), which can garnish wages, suspend a payor's driver's licence or passport, and report defaults to credit bureaus.
If support is unpaid and not registered with FRO, or if enforcement is not working, we assist with registering orders and pursuing additional court remedies.
Changing a Support Order
Support orders can be varied when there is a material change in circumstances — a significant change in either parent's income, a change in the parenting schedule, or a change in a child's needs.
We assist both payors seeking a reduction after a job loss or income change, and recipients seeking an increase where income has grown or was previously understated.
Shared and Split Parenting Support
When a child spends at least 40% of their time with each parent (shared parenting), support is typically calculated using a set-off approach that accounts for both parents' Table amounts, plus increased costs of the shared arrangement.
Split parenting — where each parent has primary care of at least one child — involves its own distinct calculation. Both scenarios require careful, accurate handling to avoid unfair results.
Know the Process
Where Your Case Is Heard — Toronto Courts
Child support applications can be brought at either the Ontario Court of Justice or the Superior Court of Justice. Once an order exists, routine enforcement is handled administratively through the Family Responsibility Office rather than requiring a new court appearance.
Ontario Court of Justice — Family Court
Child protection, custody, access, and child support matters may be heard at the Ontario Court of Justice. Since September 2024, new Toronto family cases are filed at the courthouse assigned to your provincial electoral district — either 47 Sheppard Avenue East or 311 Jarvis Street.
Superior Court of Justice (Family Branch) — 361 University Avenue
Divorce and property division (equalization of net family property) require the Superior Court of Justice, located at 361 University Avenue, which also houses the Criminal branch. The Superior Court can also hear custody, access, and support matters.
Get an Accurate Child Support Assessment
Whether you are seeking, paying, or disputing child support, an accurate calculation protects your children and your finances. Speak with a family lawyer today — free consultation.
Why Legal Solutions
Why Choose Our Precision Where It Counts
Child support disputes are rarely about the Guidelines themselves — they are about the underlying numbers. Getting income right is where cases are won, and it is where Ryan Manilla has focused his practice for over 15 years at the Ontario Bar.
We treat every income determination with the rigour it deserves, because an inaccurate support calculation affects a child's wellbeing for years.
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
I had a very positive experience with Legal Solutions Law Firm. Ryan represented me in a family court matter and provided excellent guidance and support throughout the entire process. He was professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to answer my questions and explain everything clearly. Family court matters can be stressful, but Ryan helped make the process much easier and gave me confidence every step of the way. I truly appreciated his dedication, responsiveness, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. I highly recommend Legal Solutions Law Firm and Ryan to anyone looking for a compassionate and experienced family lawyer.
We tried to defend ourselves in civil court, but ultimately decided to hire Ryan — and it was the wisest decision we have made in the last two years of hell with our condo managers. Ryan and his team have been exceptional: swift, sharp, on the ball, and always asking the right questions while making the right arguments to move our case forward to the Superior Court.
Ryan did an outstanding job on my case. He was clear, professional, and always kept me informed. Thanks to his hard work, my charges were dropped. I’m very grateful and highly recommend him.
I wish I could add five more stars to show how happy we are with the legal services of Ryan J. Manilla and his team. They took charge of our legal matters, worked tirelessly on short notice, and delivered outstanding legal documents on time. Their teamwork, professionalism, patience, and understanding of our situation gave us tremendous peace of mind. Most importantly, we sleep better at night knowing that we are in good hands, with a legal team that has the expertise and compassion to handle sensitive matters with care.
I had a great experience working with Ryan at Legal Solutions. He is professional, responsive, and very knowledgeable. Any time I had questions, he got back to me quickly and provided practical advice. I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.
I was going through anxiety not knowing what to expect with my case. Ryan explained everything simply and stood up for me at my hearing. I’m really thankful for his help!
I had such a stressful time trying to find legal help. I felt lost and hopeless when I got a notice to appear at the LTB. When I found Ryan, he stepped up and defended me. He’s knowledgeable about both the LTB and criminal law, and most importantly he’s tough! Exactly what I was looking for. I’m so glad I found him.
Ryan is a tough lawyer who defended us during a very difficult time. He helped me with a Landlord and Tenant Board issue. People told me to get a paralegal, but the ones I contacted either wouldn’t help or couldn’t communicate well in English. When I found Ryan, he explained the situation clearly and told me what to do. He showed up to the hearing tough and ready to go. I’m so glad I found him!
One of the best. Well poised, smart articulate. Know his stuff and one of the best lawyer out there to work with.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving Families Across Toronto and the GTA
From My Experience: Support Disputes Are Really Income Disputes
After years of handling child support matters, I can say with confidence that almost every real dispute isn't about the Guidelines — it's about what number goes into them. Once accurate income is established, the calculation itself is usually mechanical.
What Surprises Clients Most
Clients are consistently surprised by how much scrutiny self-employment and business income receives in a support dispute. Reasonable business expenses for tax purposes are not always reasonable for support purposes, and that gap is where most contested cases live.
My advice to every client, whether paying or receiving support, is the same: get your documentation in order early. Thorough, organized financial disclosure is what turns a drawn-out dispute into a fast, fair resolution. Call 416-274-2222 to get started.
Tools & Guides
Wondering how child support is actually calculated, or what happens when income isn't straightforward? These free tools and guides can help:
Speak With a Child Support Lawyer Today
Whether you need a support calculation, are facing an income dispute, or need help with enforcement, contact Legal Solutions Law Firm for a free consultation.