Can Separated Parents Agree to No Child Support?

After separation, many parents feel it is just simpler to agree there should be no child support than follow the law. Child support is often a point of controversy after parents separate.  Even though the Federal Government designed the Child Support Guidelines in 1997 to bring objectivity and predictability to setting the amount of child support, and has updated the support tables several times to reflect the costs of raising a child, many people disagree with the amounts set, or even the concept of child support. Some parents pursue shared parenting only as a strategy to avoid child support.  It is common for parents to try to resolve matters after separation without a requirement for child support.

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, the host, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman explains in what circumstances parents can agree to waive support, when they cannot and the possible consequences for doing it wrong – even when the parents have an agreement.

If you found this episode helpful, check out these other episodes on similar topics:

79 – What Am I Legally Required To Do First After Separating?

76 – Why Your Income for Taxes May Not Be Your Income for Child Support (or Spousal Support)

66 – How to Change Child Support

54 – Child Support Does Not End at Age 18

53 – How to Pay Less Child Support

44 – Can You Be Better Off Financially If You Divorce? 

40 – How to Keep Your Money in Separation and Divorce

10 – Child Support in Ontario/Canada: Who Pays and How Much?