Families cope with many stressful problems when the parents go through a separation or divorce. No matter what the issues are, in family law meeting the needs of children comes first because children cannot meet their own needs. This is why the "best interests of the child" is at the front and centre of all the tough decisions parents make as they move forward to fulfill their responsibilities as parents — building cooperative, flexible parenting arrangements that will support their children for many years. Many parents need support for themselves to help them through it all. The Government of Canada is committed to giving families this support.

HIGHLIGHTS

Amendments to the Federal Child Support Guidelines (Federal Guidelines) came into force on December 31, 2011. More information is available here.

The Department of Justice has a publication for children between the ages of nine and twelve. This booklet can help children learn about family law and understand that it’s normal for them to have an emotional response to their parent’s separation.

The “What Happens Next” calendar for children, which accompanies the booklet, is now available for 2013

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• PDF Version - 5.01MB |
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The 2013 calendar is only available in an electronic format.

The calendar will help children adjust to new circumstances by encouraging them to keep track of events in their new routines.

The Federal Child Support Guidelines (Federal Guidelines) changed as of June 11, 2009. The change may affect you if:

1. you are paying child support
2. you claim an "elected split-pension amount" that was transferred to you by your spouse or common-law partner under the pension income-splitting program.

For more detailed information on this amendment, please consult the Canada Gazette. Questions and Answers about the amendment to the Federal Guidelines may also be helpful.

Help for separating and divorcing parents is available. The Inventory of Family Justice Services details what services are available in your area.