What is the 40% threshold in Canadian child support?
Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, when a parent has the child 40% or more of the time (measured by nights), the court may use a different (set-off or offset) formula to calculate child support rather than the standard table amount. The 40% threshold is not automatic — courts also consider the actual costs of the shared custody arrangement and each parent's income.
How is parenting time calculated in Canada?
Parenting time is most commonly measured by the number of nights the child sleeps at each parent's home per year, divided by 365. Some lawyers and courts count days instead of or in addition to nights. The method matters because it affects whether the shared custody child support formula applies.
Does equal parenting time mean no child support?
No. Even with exactly 50/50 parenting time, the higher-earning parent typically pays child support to the lower-earning parent under the set-off (offset) formula — each parent's table amount is calculated, and the higher earner pays the difference. Section 7 expenses are still split proportionate to income.