Child & Spousal Support Lawyers in Edmonton

Verdicta LLP's child and spousal support lawyers in Edmonton calculate, negotiate, vary and enforce child support, spousal support and partner support for separated parents and spouses.

How we help

• Child support calculations
• Special & extraordinary expenses
• Spousal & partner support
• Varying support
• Retroactive support
• Enforcement through MEP

How child support is calculated

Child support is set by the Child Support Guidelines. The base amount comes from tables based on the paying parent's income and the number of children. Where parenting time is shared — each parent has the children at least 40% of the time — support is usually calculated by comparing both parents' table amounts.

Parents also share special or extraordinary expenses — such as childcare, health costs, some extracurricular activities and post-secondary education — generally in proportion to their incomes.

Spousal and partner support

Spousal support (called partner support for adult interdependent partners) isn't automatic. The court first decides whether there's an entitlement — for example, because one spouse gave up career opportunities during the relationship, or because of need. The amount and duration are usually informed by the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines, which consider income, the length of the relationship and the children's ages.

Changing support

Support can be varied when there's a material change in circumstances — such as a significant change in income, or a change in where the children live. Getting the right income information is essential, including for self-employed parents.

Enforcing support

Support orders and agreements filed with the court can be enforced through Alberta's Maintenance Enforcement Program, which can garnish wages and take other collection steps.