Child support is a legal obligation distinct from parenting time. Depending on the case, federal or provincial child-support guidelines can apply. The framework includes table support, income determination and rules for circumstances such as special expenses, shared parenting, undue hardship and dependent adult children.
Sources checked September 29, 2026.
Table child support
The basic table amount generally depends on the payor's income, province or territory of residence and number of children.
- gross annual income
- support tables
- number of children
Income determination
Tax records are often a starting point, but self-employment, corporations, fluctuating income or incomplete disclosure can make income determination more complex.
- tax returns and assessments
- current income
- imputed or adjusted income
Special or extraordinary expenses
Certain child-related expenses can be added to table support and are generally assessed by category, necessity, reasonableness and net cost.
- child care and health
- education
- extraordinary extracurricular activities
Parenting arrangements and support
The Guidelines contain specific approaches for majority, shared and split parenting time.
- majority parenting time
- shared parenting time
- split parenting time
Changing and enforcing support
Support can require variation, administrative recalculation or enforcement through the Maintenance Enforcement Program.
- material change
- Administrative Recalculation Program
- MEP enforcement
Official sources
- Nova Scotia Family Law — Child Support
- Justice Canada — Federal Child Support Guidelines
- Nova Scotia Family Law — Special Expenses
- Nova Scotia Maintenance Enforcement Program