Toronto Child Support Lawyers You Can Trust – Kazandji Law
When a relationship ends, ensuring the well-being of your children becomes the highest priority. Child support is a key element of that responsibility, and whether you are the parent paying or receiving support, you need clear legal guidance to protect your rights and your child’s best interests. At Kazandji Law, our award-winning family law team has earned a strong reputation for helping clients resolve child support matters fairly, efficiently, and with compassion.
As experienced Toronto child support lawyers, we are committed to providing practical advice and skilled representation in all types of support-related cases. From establishing support orders to enforcing unpaid support or applying for a change in payments, we walk with you through each step of the legal process. Our goal is to ensure that your child receives the financial support they deserve while helping you navigate the complex legal system with clarity and confidence.
Why Choose Kazandji Law for Child Support Representation?
Child support law in Ontario is governed by specific guidelines, but the real-life application of those rules often requires legal strategy. At Kazandji Law, we take the time to understand your family’s needs and provide solutions tailored to your circumstances. Whether your matter is resolved through negotiation, mediation, or litigation, we bring a firm but reasonable approach to protect your rights.
Clients in Toronto turn to us because:
- We offer personalized legal strategies backed by years of experience
- We have a deep understanding of the Federal Child Support Guidelines
- We provide compassionate counsel during high-stress family transitions
- We advocate strongly both in and out of court
Our team handles a wide range of family law issues, including those involving child custody, spousal support, and property division. We always keep your child’s best interests at the center of our approach.
Understanding Child Support in Ontario
Child support is the legal obligation of a parent to contribute financially to the upbringing of their child following separation or divorce. In most cases, the parent who does not have primary care of the child pays support to the parent with whom the child primarily resides. The purpose is to help cover expenses such as food, clothing, housing, education, and other essentials.
In Ontario, child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines set out monthly payment amounts based on the paying parent’s gross annual income and the number of children requiring support. While the guidelines aim to simplify the process, disputes often arise over income, parenting time, and special or extraordinary expenses.
Our role is to ensure that support is calculated properly, that all relevant financial information is disclosed, and that your rights and obligations are fully understood.
Key Issues Our Child Support Lawyers Handle
Establishing Child Support
We assist parents in determining and formalizing appropriate support arrangements, whether through court orders or separation agreements. We help ensure accurate income disclosure and apply the correct guideline amount based on your situation.
Retroactive Support Claims
If support was not previously paid, the recipient parent may seek retroactive child support. We assist with claims going back several years and advocate for a fair assessment of what is owed based on current and past financial circumstances.
Undisclosed or Hidden Income
Some parents may attempt to avoid or reduce support by underreporting income. Our lawyers are experienced in uncovering hidden income, examining financial records, and presenting evidence to support a more accurate calculation.
Section 7 Special or Extraordinary Expenses
These are additional costs not covered by the base amount of child support, such as medical care, childcare, extracurricular activities, or education. We help determine what qualifies and how these expenses should be shared proportionately between parents.
Child Support for Adult Children
Child support can continue beyond the age of 18 in cases where the child is still dependent due to full-time education, disability, or other factors. We help parents clarify their ongoing obligations or challenge unfair requests.
Varying Child Support
If there has been a material change in circumstances, such as job loss, salary increase, or change in custody, support may be varied. We guide you through the process of requesting or opposing a change to an existing support order.
Enforcing Support Payments
If the paying parent has stopped or reduced payments without legal authority, we work with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) or apply to court to enforce the support order. Options may include wage garnishment, bank account seizures, or suspension of licenses.
Common Scenarios in Child Support Disputes
Every family situation is different, but certain themes recur in child support disputes. Some of the most common scenarios we assist with include:
- One parent refusing to disclose financial information
- Self-employed individuals whose income is difficult to calculate
- Parents with shared or split custody arrangements where support obligations differ
- International support claims involving parents who live outside Ontario
- Blended families and support obligations to multiple children across households
Our firm has the legal knowledge and practical experience to help you resolve even the most complex support situations.
Child Support and Other Family Law Matters
At Kazandji Law, we view child support as part of a broader family law strategy. Our Toronto family lawyers offer a full range of services to help you resolve related legal issues, including:
Divorce & Separation
Whether your separation is amicable or contested, we help you navigate the legal process, file the correct paperwork, and negotiate agreements that protect your financial and parental rights.
Spousal Support
Spousal support may be payable in addition to child support. We assist clients in understanding how both types of support interact and advocate for fair outcomes based on current law and your personal situation.
Child Custody
Support obligations often depend on where and with whom the child resides. We represent clients in parenting disputes involving decision-making authority, parenting time, and mobility.
Property Division
We assist with the identification and division of marital property, including real estate, pensions, business interests, and debts. Property settlements may influence your financial picture and support obligations.
Domestic Violence
If there are concerns about abuse or control, we act quickly to protect you and your children. We can apply for restraining orders and help you take steps to ensure your safety.
Common Law Relationships
We help clients in common-law relationships understand their rights and obligations after separation, including support for children and partners when applicable.
Relocation
If one parent wishes to move with the child, it may affect support and custody. We handle relocation cases and advise on how such moves impact your child support responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Toronto
Do I have to pay child support if we share custody? It depends on the exact parenting arrangement and the income levels of each parent. Even with shared custody, one parent may owe support if there is a significant income difference. The court looks at the overall financial picture to determine what is fair.
Can we agree on a different amount than what the guidelines say?
Yes, parents can agree to a different amount if it meets the child’s needs and is fair under the law. However, the court must approve the arrangement, and it must reflect the child’s best interests. Deviations from the guidelines are scrutinized carefully.
How is income calculated for support purposes?
Generally, child support is based on the gross annual income of the paying parent. This can include salary, commissions, rental income, investment returns, or self-employment earnings. We ensure that income is calculated accurately, especially in complex financial situations.
What if the other parent stops paying support?
You can take legal action to enforce the support order. The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) has the authority to collect unpaid support through garnishment, property liens, or license suspension. We can also bring enforcement motions to court if needed.
Can child support be changed if my income drops?
Yes. If you experience a material change in circumstances, such as job loss or medical issues, you may apply to the court to vary the support amount. The court requires proof of your financial change and a formal request for adjustment.
Is child support taxable?
No, child support payments are not considered taxable income for the recipient, and the paying parent cannot claim them as a deduction. This tax treatment is different from spousal support, which has different rules.
Contact Our Toronto Child Support Lawyers Now
If you need help with a child support issue in Toronto, you deserve a lawyer who will put your child’s best interests first. At Kazandji Law, we take pride in providing high-quality family law representation that is both strategic and supportive.
Call Kazandji Law today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Toronto child support lawyer. Let us help you move forward with confidence.