Who can be asked to pay child support in Alberta?

In Alberta, Canada, child support is a legal obligation that primarily involves the financial contribution of parents towards the upbringing and welfare of their children. The responsibility to pay child support typically falls on the following groups:

1. 

   Biological Parents: The most common individuals required to pay child support are the biological parents of the child. Regardless of their marital status, both parents have a responsibility to financially support their child. This obligation does not cease even if one parent does not have custody or a relationship with the child.

2. Adoptive Parents: Adoptive parents are equally responsible for child support as biological parents. Once the adoption is legally finalized, adoptive parents assume all parental responsibilities, including financial support.
3. Legal Guardians or Custodians: In certain cases, individuals who are not the biological or adoptive parents but have been granted legal guardianship or custody of a child may be required to pay child support. This is especially relevant in cases where the guardians have assumed a long-term parental role in the child’s life.
4. Step-Parents: In Alberta, step-parents may be required to pay child support under certain conditions. This usually occurs when the step-parent has formed a significant parental relationship with the child during the marriage or common-law relationship with the child’s biological parent. However, the obligation of a step-parent is typically considered secondary to that of the biological parents.
5. Parents in Common-Law Relationships: Common-law partners can be obligated to pay child support if they have lived together in a relationship of some permanence and have a child together, either biological or adopted.

It’s important to note that the amount of child support to be paid is generally determined based on guidelines provided by the federal government, which consider factors like the income of the paying parent, the number of children, and the custody arrangement. Additionally, the courts in Alberta have the authority to make adjustments to child support payments based on various factors, including the financial circumstances of both parents and the needs of the child.

Child support obligations typically continue until the child reaches the age of majority, which is 18 in Alberta. However, support may continue beyond this age if the child is unable to withdraw from their parents’ care and become self-supporting due to reasons like disability or attending full-time education.

It’s also important for individuals involved in child support disputes or arrangements to seek legal advice to understand their rights and obligations fully.

Osuji & Smith, Calgary Family Lawyers or legal aid services in Alberta can provide necessary guidance and support in navigating child support laws and procedures.

Author: Lucy Diale Mewanu