Saskatchewan Child Support Laws (2026 Guide)

In Saskatchewan, child support is considered the right of the child. The province generally adheres to the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Whether you are divorcing under the federal Divorce Act or separating under The Family Maintenance Act, 1997, the method for calculating the base amount of support remains consistent.

Applying Federal Guidelines

The core principle is simple: the parent with whom the child lives most of the time is entitled to receive child support from the other parent. The amount is determined based on the payor’s gross annual income and the number of children.

There is very little discretion for a judge to deviate from these guidelines unless there is a claim of “undue hardship” or the child is over the age of majority.

Saskatchewan Tables

If the payor parent resides in Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Tables are used to determine the monthly payment. These tables are updated periodically by the federal government.

You can find the exact amount by using the official Child Support Table Look-up provided by the Department of Justice. Ensure you select “2017” (or the most current year available in the dropdown, usually 2017 tables are still the base with adjustments) and “Saskatchewan”.

Special Expenses (Section 7)

Basic table amounts cover food, shelter, and clothing. Other expenses, known as Section 7 expenses, are shared based on the parents’ respective incomes. These include:

• Childcare costs.
• Medical and dental insurance premiums.
• Health-related expenses (over $100 annually).
• Extraordinary school or educational expenses.
• Post-secondary education costs.
• Extracurricular activities (if extraordinary).

Recalculation Service

Saskatchewan offers a Child Support Recalculation Service. This pilot project allows parents with an existing court order to have their child support recalculated annually based on updated income tax information, without having to hire a lawyer or go back to court.

This service helps ensure that support payments remain fair and current with the payor’s ability to pay.

Enforcement (MEO)

The Maintenance Enforcement Office (MEO) is responsible for collecting and distributing support payments in Saskatchewan. Once a court order is registered, the MEO can take steps to enforce payment, including:

• Garnishing wages.
• Seizing bank accounts.
• Suspending driver’s licenses.
• Intercepting federal payments (like tax refunds).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is income determined if I am self-employed?

For self-employed parents, “Line 15000” is just a starting point. Courts often add back pre-tax deductions or corporate earnings to determine the true income available for child support.

2. What happens if I have 50/50 custody?

In a shared parenting arrangement (at least 40% of time each), the “set-off” method is usually used. You calculate what each parent would pay the other, and the higher earner pays the difference.

3. At what age does support stop in Saskatchewan?

Support typically continues until the child turns 18. However, it can continue longer if the child is in full-time post-secondary education or has a disability or illness preventing independence.

4. Can I agree to a lower amount than the table?

Courts are generally reluctant to approve agreements for less than the table amount unless there are special provisions that benefit the child in other ways. The right to support belongs to the child, not the parent.

5. Is there a minimum income for paying support?

If a payor earns less than roughly $12,000 per year, the table amount is often zero, but this depends on the specific circumstances and ability to work.