1. Agree on the terms of child support

You and your partner can try to agree on without going to court. You can talk to your partner on your own, with the help of someone you both trust, or with the help of a lawyer or mediator.

Your can deal with child support alone, or can include other things like:

You don't have to wait until you and your partner agree on everything before making a separation agreement. For example, you might agree on child support before you agree on how to divide property. So you can make a separation agreement about child support first.

Your child support agreement can include:

  • the names and birthdays of the children receiving child support
  • where the children will live
  • the amount of monthly child support payments
  • a separate amount for spousal support, if any
  • the date when child support will be paid, including a start date
  • the amount of additional payments for like daycare, if any
  • how child support payments will be made, for example, cash with a receipt, cheque, direct deposit, money order, interac e-transfer, or through the
  • how you plan to deal with child support if there are changes in your situation such as changes in income or employment

Also try to agree on a way to get updated income information about the parent each year. You can agree to get copies of their most recent income tax return or notice of assessment every year. You can use this information to make sure the right amount of child support is being paid.

If your agreement also deals with , make sure that you have a separate amount for child support and spousal support payments. This is because they are treated differently when doing your income tax return.

Talking to your partner may not be the best option where there is a history of partner abuse.

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