​CHILD SUPPORT
 

At Skyline Law Corporation, we understand that child support in British Columbia is a crucial financial responsibility aimed at ensuring children maintain a stable standard of living after separation or divorce. Our experienced family lawyers in Surrey and Vancouver provide legal support to help parents understand their rights, obligations, and options regarding child support payments, enforcement, and modifications.

 

Key Aspects of Child Support

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Legal Framework:
 

• In British Columbia, child support is governed by the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Provincial Family Law Act.

• The guidelines provide a formula for calculating the amount of support based on the paying parent's income and the number of children.
   

Types of Child Support:
 

• Table Amounts: These are standardized amounts set out in the guidelines based on the paying parent's income and the number of children.

• Special or Extraordinary Expenses: In addition to base support, parents may also be required to contribute to special expenses such as:

  • Childcare costs

  • Medical expenses not covered by insurance

  • Extracurricular activities (sports, music lessons, etc.)
     

Determining Child Support:
 

• The court will typically look at the paying parent's gross annual income.

• The guidelines consider factors like the number of children and whether the parents share custody.
   

Payment Duration:
 

• Child support obligations usually continue until the child turns 19, although they may extend if the child is still dependent due to illness, disability, or pursuing post-secondary education.
   

Changes in Circumstances:
 

• Child support orders can be modified if there are significant changes in circumstances, such as job loss, changes in income, or changes in the child’s needs.
   

Enforcement:

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• If a parent fails to pay child support, the recipient can seek enforcement through the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP), which can take measures like wage garnishment.
   

Shared Parenting Situations:

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• In cases of shared custody, the calculation of child support may differ, and parents may offset their obligations based on the time each parent spends with the child.
   

How We Can Help
 

Navigating child support obligations in BC can be complex and emotionally challenging. At Skyline Law Corporation, we assist parents in:

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• Determining fair child support payments.

• Modifying child support orders due to financial changes.

• Enforcing unpaid child support through legal channels.

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If you need legal assistance with child support calculations, modifications, or enforcement, contact our family law team in Surrey and Vancouver for a consultation at https://www.skylinelaw.ca/contact-us