Alberta Child Support Calculator

Understanding Child Support in Alberta

Child support in Alberta is primarily governed by the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which are applied under both the Divorce Act and the Family Law Act. The fundamental principle is that both parents have a financial obligation to support their children according to their ability to pay. The Guidelines aim to ensure fair and consistent support amounts, prioritizing the children's best interests.

The Federal Child Support Guidelines

The core of child support calculation involves a lookup table that determines a base monthly amount. This amount is primarily based on two factors:

• The gross annual income of the payor parent.
• The number of children for whom support is being paid.

These tables are designed to provide a presumptive amount, ensuring predictability and consistency in most cases across Canada, including Alberta.

Section 7: Special or Extraordinary Expenses

Beyond the basic table amount, the Guidelines also address "special or extraordinary expenses" (often called Section 7 expenses). These can include:

• Childcare expenses (e.g., daycare, after-school care)
• Medical and dental insurance premiums attributable to the child
• Extraordinary health-related expenses (e.g., orthodontics, therapy)
• Extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary education
• Expenses for post-secondary education
• Extraordinary expenses for extracurricular activities

These expenses are typically shared by parents in proportion to their respective incomes, after accounting for any subsidies or tax deductions.

Child Support in Shared Parenting Arrangements

When children spend at least 40% of their time with each parent, it's considered a shared parenting arrangement. In such cases, the calculation deviates from the standard table amount. The court considers:

• The table amount for each parent.
• The increased costs associated with shared custody.
• The financial circumstances of both parents.

Often, a "set-off" amount is calculated, where the difference between each parent's table amount is paid by the higher-income parent. However, courts retain discretion to ensure the arrangement meets the children's best interests.