Child support is a legal process to give money or related assistance by the parent/parents to ensure financial support to a child or children. The child support law in Alberta follows the fundamental Alberta child support guidelines of Canada.
However, there are some specific rules to follow under that law. The primary intention of child support is to divide the financial responsibility associated with raising their children.
It is the duties and responsibilities of both the divorced parents that they are bound to obey court orders and keep supporting children financially.
The essential obligation of Canada’s child support law is that all concerned parties should continue getting support from both the couples like they are in a normal relationship. In Canada and Alberta, the judge should be happy with the activities taken into consideration of child support.
How Does Child Support Work in Alberta?
Child support for Alberta is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Alberta child support tables, including shared, single, and divided custody parenting.
In Alberta, you need to provide money for Children’s Parenting, Special Child-Related expenses. For that, the court will consider the liable parent’s income and the number of children involved in the process. Then the legal authority will decide the final income distribution.
Does a Stepparent Have to Pay Child Support in Alberta?
A stepparent has to perform the necessary obligation to pay child support if this kind of relationship is established between the respective parties. As the federal divorce-related act says, a child is suitable for child support as the children of two spouses or former spouses.
It includes “any child of whom one is the parent and for whom the other stands in the place of a parent. Under any circumstances, the federal court will fix the appropriate amount needed to provide for the child support.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Child Support in Alberta?
According to the court’s order, there are laws and penalties for the parents in Alberta if they fail to provide child support correctly. The federal and provincial courts will have the full authority to take any necessary action.
The penalties include suspension of a person’s ability to make a living in Alberta. There may arise a question like, “Can you go to jail for not paying child support in Alberta?” There may be enforcement measures under provincial or territorial laws.
Think that the court could command you to provide a fine and all the legal expenses to enforce the support order or written agreement. A court may even order you to serve time in jail if you do not pay support.
If a parent faces difficulties supporting the children properly, they can consult with the professional to modify and reconsider. However, the local court will make the final decision confirming the full rights of the children.
What are Section 7 Expenses in Alberta?
As in the Law, Section 7 expenses are ordered by the court. This section includes childcare expenses such as medical, dental, and other health-related expenses; and health insurance premiums. Section 7 expenses are support amounts payable for a child and the base child support that is payable.
The support for the expense is distributed finely considering the incomes of the couples. The individual who has a higher amount of earnings needs to provide more than the other spouse. In the case of the same amount of earnings of the parents, the especial bearing expenses will be equally distributed among the parents.
How Does Maintenance Enforcement Work in Alberta?
In the case of support orders, but want to get rid of them and facing your ex-partner. The Maintenance Enforcement Program is in place, and you can utilize the opportunity that arises from it. Eventually, the essential rules you must know regarding that are followed:
- The Maintenance Enforcement Program (“MEP“) is a regional ruler strategy responsible for accumulating court-ordered regarding children and spousal support.
- MEP’s enforcement program can gather child support payable under some sections (which are 3 and section 7) of the Child Support Regulations. However, the program needs specific indications before collecting amounts owing for section 7 expenses in the court order.
- Some of the actions that MEP can take in cases of non-payment include decorating the payor’s wages, canceling the payor’s passport, suspending the payor’s driver’s license.
- If the provider of child support is now in another country and has no properties in Canada, MEP will not impose any order.
- The MEP program is a slow process. Sometimes, it takes time to register a file, and it can take a long time for MEP to activate child or spousal support by taking a license or passport away.
- If you provide child support or spousal support and deal with liabilities, it is probable to negotiate the repayment conditions with MEP.
The parties can use a court order under the Recalculation Program by which the parties can avoid going to court and collecting the child support because of the changes in the income.
Conclusion
Alberta Child support Laws help a child to get a safe future and potential environment to grow. It is an essential and complex law across Canada that imposes orders to the respective parents to give monetary support for child custody.
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