What is S. 7 expenses?

The Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Ontario Child Support Guidelines examine two components when determining support payments, known as the Table amount and Section 7 expenses. The Table amount is the basic monthly amount of child support, whereas Section 7 expenses are referred to as special or extraordinary child expenses. Section 7 expenses are payable in addition to the basic Table amount. These expenses can include the following:

1. Child-care expenses in relation to the custodial parent’s job, illness, disability, or educational requirements for employment;
2. Insurance premiums for medical and dental coverage regarding the child;
3. Health-related expenses that exceed $100 per year if excluded by insurance. Examples include orthodontics, counselling, medication, and eye care;
4. Primary and secondary education or any other educational programs that meet the child’s particular needs such as tutoring or private school fees;
5. Post-secondary education expenditures such as tuition, books, living arrangement and electronic supplies; and
6. Extracurricular activities that are more than what could be reasonably paid based on the Table amount received. Extracurricular activities are categorized as extraordinary expenses depending on the nature and number of programs, the overall cost, special needs and talents of the child, and other similar factors which may be deemed relevant. This can include camps, swimming lessons, karate, or any of your child’s preferred extracurricular.

Oftentimes, parents share the amount for the child’s expenses in proportion to their income. This is typically disclosed to each parent, yearly, by providing one another with your completed tax return. At that time, the parties can calculate the percentage owed by both parents. For example, will the agreed upon costs be shared on a 50/50 basis if both parties have similar incomes? Will the agreed upon cost be shared on a 75/25 basis?

At Blackburn Lawyers, we strive to provide efficient and effective services for every family law matter while ensuring the best interest of the child. If you and/or a loved one has any questions regarding child support or Section 7 expenses, please contact our family law lawyers today.

Disclaimer: This blog sets out a variety of information relating to the law that is to be used for educational purposes and is not legal advice for your particular situation. The author(s) of this blog do not intent the blog to be a source of legal advice.

Written by Adriana Totera

* Please note that the information in this article is not intended as legal advice, but rather as a general overview on the subject. If you are seeking legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.