Child Support Lawyer Edmonton, AB
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Speak with a Child Support Lawyer in Edmonton
Navigating child support during a separation or divorce can be stressful—but a clear, compliant plan under the Federal Child Support Guidelines brings stability for parents and children. At Bhardwaj+Co, our Edmonton Family Law team provides practical legal advice, ensures accurate financial disclosure, and helps you set fair Child Support Orders and agreements. Whether you need a new court order, a variation, or guidance on settlement and mediation options, our legal team streamlines the legal process and protects your family’s interests.
Secure fair, guideline-based support—speak with a child support lawyer in Edmonton today.
Child Support in Edmonton, Alberta
Child support is a legal obligation that ensures dependent children continue to receive financial support following a separation or divorce. Support payments are typically made by the payor parent to the other party and are calculated based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines, considering factors such as:
- Annual income of both parties
- Number of children
- Parenting time and custody arrangements
- Extraordinary expenses such as medical needs or extracurricular activities
Whether you’re a biological or adoptive parent, our child support lawyers will help you understand your legal responsibilities and rights with clarity and confidence.
What Does Child Support Cover?
A child support agreement prepared by an experienced family court lawyer clearly defines financial responsibilities to protect your child’s well-being and preserve continuity in their lifestyle. These legal documents are essential tools that safeguard children’s rights, reduce family law issues, and minimize future litigation under Canada’s Divorce Act and related legislation.
Here’s what a well-structured agreement typically includes:
Basic Living Expenses
Day-to-day needs (food, clothing, and shelter) so the custodial parent can maintain a stable home. Clear terms in a parenting plan (with decision-making responsibility) help avoid disputes over custody and access.
Educational Costs
School fees, supplies, technology (laptops/tablets), tutoring, and activity fees that support academic success. Agreements should reflect financial disclosure documents and shared obligations where shared custody affects costs.
Health-Related Expenses
Dental/vision care, therapy, prescriptions, and other medical needs. Your divorce lawyer can ensure coverage aligns with provincial programs and private benefits, with fair allocation based on income and documented receipts.
Extraordinary or Special Expenses
Items beyond basic needs are often negotiated and shared proportionally:
- Private tutoring or special-education supports
- Daycare or after-school care
- Competitive sports, music, or arts programs
- Camps or education-related travel
These are typically addressed alongside separation agreement terms, using clear court-ready wording to streamline court processes if issues arise.
Post-Secondary and Adult Children Support
Depending on circumstances, support may continue for adult children in post-secondary education expenses or with medical/developmental needs. A tailored clause helps avoid court motions later and keeps focus on protecting your family’s interests.
An experienced child support lawyer from Bhardwaj+Co will ensure your agreement is tailored to reflect your child’s needs and your financial realities, while complying with the Child Support Guidelines in Alberta. With the right guidance, you can create a fair and enforceable plan that supports your child’s present and future.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Calculating child support in Alberta follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines, but every family’s situation is unique. At Bhardwaj+Co, our child support lawyers help ensure all relevant factors are considered, so your agreement is fair, accurate, and legally sound.
Here are the main elements the court will look at:
- Annual Income of the Payor Parent: Child support is primarily based on the gross annual income of the parent paying support, including all sources of income.
- Number of Children: Support amounts increase with each additional child and follow a standardized federal table.
- Parenting Time Arrangements: Whether custody is primary, shared (at least 40% with each parent), or split affects how much support is owed and by whom.
- Extraordinary Expenses: Also known as Section 7 expenses, these include childcare, health needs, educational costs, and extracurricular activities. They’re typically shared proportionally based on income.
- Changes in Circumstances: If income, employment, or parenting time changes significantly, support may need to be reviewed and modified.
- Beaumont
- Bon Accord
- Calmar
- Devon
- Edmonton
- Fort Saskatchewan
- Gibbons
- Lacombe
- Leduc
- Morinville
- Spruce Grove
- St. Albert
- Stony Plain
- Strathcona County
- Sturgeon County
- Thorsby
- Warburg
- Toefield
- Wetaskiwin
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Why Choose Bhardwaj+Co’s Edmonton Child Support Lawyers?
Securing child support in Alberta takes more than filling out forms—it requires legal insight, clear communication, and a firm grasp of your rights under the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Divorce Act. At Bhardwaj+Co, we deliver all of that and more, helping you handle calculation, disclosure, and enforcement with clarity and confidence.
Our Edmonton family lawyers take a tailored, practical approach to ensure your plan covers what matters most—from base table amounts and s.7 special expenses to how parenting time/decision-making responsibility affect support. We don’t just prepare documents—we craft durable child support agreements and court orders that are enforceable and future-ready.
Why clients trust us:
- Clear, upfront legal advice from experienced professionals
- Deep knowledge of Alberta’s family law system and guidelines
- Transparent process, timelines, and predictable fees
- Focus on minimizing conflict via negotiation/mediation before litigation
- Agreements designed for stability—today and as circumstances change
With Bhardwaj+Co, you get more than a child support lawyer in Edmonton—you get a legal partner committed to protecting your child’s needs and your family’s peace of mind.
Talk to a Child Support Lawyer in Edmonton Today
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What if the other parent is not providing their financial information?
If the other parent refuses to disclose their income, you can file a Notice to Disclose in either the Court of King’s Bench or provincial court. A child support lawyer can help you request this formally.
When financial disclosure is not provided, a judge may impute income—meaning the court assigns a reasonable estimate of income to calculate child support payments. This can result in higher payments if no documentation is submitted on time.
Support amounts are based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which use the payor parent’s annual income and other factors. These guidelines also cover basic and extraordinary expenses like housing, transportation, and childcare.
For help enforcing disclosure or protecting your rights, contact a qualified child support lawyer in Edmonton.
When will the Court Impute Income?
A Judge may impute income to a parent for various reasons such as if the parent is unemployed or is underemployed.
Are there any other sources of money that a Court will include to impute income?
The Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) is not always included in guideline income. You will be required to include this amount in your income.
What If I'm Self-Employed?
If you're self-employed, calculating your child support payments can be more complex. Courts may assess your income differently, especially if you're using business deductions that lower your taxable income but don’t reflect your full earning capacity.
Judges often impute income to self-employed parents, estimating what they believe is a fair and accurate amount for child support purposes. This ensures that children receive the support they need, even if tax filings don’t show the full picture.
If you’re self-employed or seeking support from a self-employed payor parent, it’s strongly recommended to consult with an experienced child support lawyer to navigate the legal process and protect your rights.
