How Is Child Support Calculated in BC?

FAQs

How Is Child Support Calculated in BC?

Child support in British Columbia is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Child Support Tables, which are based on the paying parent’s income, the number of children, and the province of residence. The guidelines aim to ensure that children receive financial support consistent with the payor’s ability to pay while addressing their basic needs and maintaining a standard of living similar to what they would have experienced if the family remained together.

Key Factors in Calculating Child Support

Payor’s Income

Child support is calculated based on the gross annual income (before taxes) of the parent paying support. Income can include:

  • Employment income
  • Self-employment income
  • Rental income
  • Dividends, bonuses, or commissions

If the payor is underemployed or concealing income, the court can impute income based on their earning potential.

Number of Children

  • The Child Support Tables set the monthly payment amount per child. Payments increase with the number of children.

Parenting Time

  • If the children spend the majority of their time with one parent (more than 60%), the other parent is the payor.
  • If parenting time is shared (at least 40% with each parent), adjustments may be made to reflect shared expenses.

Extraordinary Expenses (Section 7 Expenses)

Additional child-related costs are shared proportionally based on each parent’s income. These expenses can include:

  • Childcare
  • Extracurricular activities (e.g., sports, music lessons)
  • Post-secondary education
  • Medical or dental costs not covered by insurance

Adjustments for Special Circumstances

  • In high-income cases (over $150,000 annually), the court may adjust the child support amount to reflect the children’s needs.
  • If the payor faces undue hardship, such as supporting another family or significant debts, the court may reduce child support payments. 

How to Calculate Child Support Using BC Guidelines

Determine Gross Income

  • Identify the payor's annual gross income using tax returns, pay stubs, or financial disclosures.

Use the Child Support Table

  • Refer to the Federal Child Support Table for BC to find the monthly support amount based on income and the number of children.

Account for Section 7 Expenses

  • Calculate additional expenses and share them between parents based on their incomes. 

Example in a Vancouver Context

A payor parent in Vancouver earns $70,000 annually and has two children living with the other parent. According to the Federal Child Support Table for BC (at the time of this writing), the monthly base payment is $1,102. If there are $2,000 in annual Section 7 expenses (e.g., childcare), these costs would be divided proportionally based on each parent’s income.

Tools for Calculating Child Support

Seek Legal Assistance

If you’re navigating child support calculations in BC, Mills Family Law, experienced Vancouver family lawyers, can provide advice tailored to your situation. Whether you’re seeking support or negotiating payment terms, professional guidance ensures your children’s financial needs are met fairly. Call us at 778-945-3003 or fill out our web form to get started today.

Related FAQs

For more details, refer to the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Child Support Tables.

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