How is child support calculated in Quebec?
Short answer
In Quebec, child support is calculated from each parent's income, the number of children, each parent's custody time and, in certain cases, the child's particular needs. The Formulaire de fixation des pensions alimentaires pour enfants (child support determination form) must be completed when an application is made to the court.
In detail
There are two methods. The Quebec method applies where both parents live in Quebec, or where only one of them lives there and they are not in divorce proceedings. The federal method applies only where the parents are divorced or in divorce proceedings and one of them lives outside Quebec; it is based on the paying parent's income and the number of children.
The ministère de la Justice (Quebec's justice department) provides a free online calculation tool. Be careful, though: JuridiQC specifies that a printout of the tool's result does not replace the official form — it is indeed the Formulaire de fixation des pensions alimentaires pour enfants that has to be filed.
The court may depart from the calculated amount in certain situations, in particular in shared custody, where income exceeds $200,000 a year, or where the child has particular needs. Support covers the child's basic needs — food, housing, communications, furnishings, housekeeping, personal care, clothing, transportation and recreation — to which particular expenses such as childcare costs or medical costs may be added.
What to document
Your income tax returns and notices of assessment for the past few years, your recent pay stubs, proof of any other income, and the invoices for particular expenses (childcare, orthodontics, activities, medication). Above all: the real custody calendar, since the number of days spent at each parent's home goes directly into the calculation.
Put your facts in writing, free. Writing your version down early, keeping your documents dated and preparing your questions for a lawyer: the tool is there to document, never to advise.
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Official sources
- JuridiQC — How do you calculate the amount of child support?
- Ministère de la Justice du Québec — Child support calculation tool
- JuridiQC — Child support in 7 questions
Related questions
- In shared custody is there still child support?
- Can we agree that there will be no child support?
- Can I stop paying support if my ex prevents me from seeing my child?
- Is child support taxable in Quebec?
- Until what age do you have to pay child support?
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What this page is not
This is general legal information about the law of Quebec and Canada, dated and sourced. It is not legal advice, not a strategy, and not a prediction about the outcome of a case. In Quebec, only lawyers and notaries may give legal advice (Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, ss. 128 and 133). Laws and amounts change: the official source always prevails over us.