Child Support and Child Support Agreements

by Tyler P. A Passionate Blogger - Entertainment Each child needs financial support from their parents and this is the child’s legal right. Child support is money that a parent pays so as to help support his or her child financially after separation or divorce. When parents separate or divorce the legal right to child support does not change. However, the parents may try to agree on the amount of child support to be paid. Generally child support is paid to the other parent and not directly to the child, however, judges can order a parent to pay child support directly to a child over the age of majority – this is in specific cases. To determine payments for child support judges consider the family’s situation so as to make or decide on the appropriate arrangements.

At times a parent may decide that he or she does not want to receive child support from the other parent or at times a parent may not want to make payment of child support to the other parent, however, before making such a decision it is important to remember that your child is entitled to support by law. The basic principle is that children in intact families the child benefits from the incomes of both parents and this should not change if parents separate or divorce. This serves as the guiding principle for Canada’s child support laws.
Child Support Agreements

Both parents may decide to come up with their own child support agreement highlighting the amount to be paid by one of the parents. While this is commendable it is advised that such agreements are written down and signed by both parents. By doing this there is a low risk of misunderstanding and it also makes it easier to enforce a written and signed agreement. An added advantage of both parents setting up their own child support agreement is flexibility in respect of the child support amount (just as long as the amount is fair).

In order to come up with a fair child support amount parents must consider how much child support a judge is likely to order to be paid in accordance to the family’s situation. To get this amount it is good to know that judges base their decisions on child support amounts on child support guidelines. The guidelines are sets of rules and tables set out in the Federal Child Support Guidelines and are regulated under the Divorce Act. Further, there are guidelines provided in provincial (Maintenance and Custody Guidelines) and territorial laws. Each ruling made by a judge is dependent on the family’s situation such as; do both parents work, what income they both bring etc.  

While it is possible for parents to come up with their own child support agreements, it is strongly recommended that they seek the advice of a professional person such as a Family Law lawyer. Despite the number of consultations you can afford, some of the best lawyers give the first consultation free. The lawyer will help you understand the guidelines and use them to calculate a child support amount, thus it is wise to find family lawyer in Toronto.

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If you are looking for quick divorce the author recommends the Bluetown Law Firm.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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