Navigating Child Support in Alberta

A Practical Guide to Child Support in Alberta

Raising a child is a shared responsibility, even when parents no longer live together. In Alberta, child support is a legal obligation designed to ensure that children receive the financial care they need—regardless of the status of the relationship between parents.

Whether you’re separating, divorcing, or navigating a new parenting arrangement, understanding child support is critical. At Chahal Law, we help clients understand their rights and obligations under Alberta’s child support system.

What is Child Support?

Child support is a financial contribution made by one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising their child(ren). These payments support everyday expenses like food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education. In Alberta, even if a parent doesn’t have custody or visitation, they can still be legally required to pay child support.

There are two main types of child support in Alberta:

Section 3 – Basic Child Support

This is the monthly payment that covers the child’s essential needs such as:

• Food

• Clothing

• Housing

• Basic healthcare

Section 7 – Special or Extraordinary Expenses

These are additional costs that go beyond the basic necessities, such as:

• Childcare

• Post-secondary education

• Private school tuition

• Summer camps

• Sports or musical equipment and lessons

• Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance

How is Child Support Calculated in Alberta?

Child support payments are determined by several factors, including:

• The annual income of the paying parent

• The number of children

• The parenting arrangement (i.e., shared, split, or sole custody)

• Section 7 expenses, if applicable

In general, the higher the income and number of children, the more child support is owed. Alberta uses the Federal Child Support Guidelines to determine the base amount. If you’re curious about how much support you might owe or receive, an online Alberta child support calculator can provide an estimate—but remember, these are not legal tools and may not reflect the specifics of your situation.

What if I Can’t Pay Child Support?

Even if you’re unemployed or facing a significant drop in income, you are still responsible for your child support obligations. If your circumstances change, it’s important to:

• Contact the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) as soon as possible

• Apply to modify your court order, if necessary

• Report your new income if you gain employment again

The government can enforce payment in a number of ways, including:

• Garnishing wages or Employment Insurance (EI)

• Suspending your driver’s license

• Refusing to issue or renew your Canadian passport

Child Support in Different Parenting Arrangements

How much you pay—or receive—in child support can also depend on your custody or parenting arrangement.

• Sole custody: The non-custodial parent typically pays child support to the custodial parent.

• Shared custody: Both parents spend roughly equal time with the children, and support is calculated based on the difference in income.

• Split custody: Each parent has primary care of at least one child. Support is calculated for each child and then offset.

It’s important to note that child support is not based on the personal expenses of the parents, but on the needs of the child and the income of each parent.

Get Legal Advice from Chahal Law

Child support is a serious and legally binding obligation—and it’s one that can significantly impact your financial future. Whether you’re seeking to establish a child support agreement, enforce one, or modify an existing order, Chahal Law is here to help.

Contact us today at (780) 461-0989 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced family law lawyers.