Difference between revisions of "Changing Family Law Orders, Awards and Agreements Involving Child Support"

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Changing Family Law Orders, Awards and Agreements Involving Child Support (view source)

Revision as of 23:47, 1 April 2013

1,658 bytes added ,  23:47, 1 April 2013
no edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{OKSUBSTANTIVE}}
{{OKSUBSTANTIVE}}
{{JP Boyd on Family Law TOC|expanded = childsupport}}
{{JP Boyd on Family Law TOC|expanded = childsupport}}
{{LSSbadge
|resourcetype = <br/> a fact sheet on
|link        = [http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca/resources/fact_sheets/changingFinalOrder.php when you can change <br/>a final order]
}}


As with all arrangements relating to children, there is no such thing as an absolutely final order or agreement for child support. It is always open to the court to change an order or agreement for child support, providing that the parties' circumstances, or the circumstances of the parties' children, have changed. Generally speaking, payors will want to apply to have support reduced or terminated when their income has decreased or the children have grown up, while recipients will want to apply to have support increased when the payor's income has gone up or if the children's special expenses have increased.
As with all arrangements relating to children, there is no such thing as an absolutely final order or agreement for child support. It is always open to the court to change an order or agreement for child support, providing that the parties' circumstances, or the circumstances of the parties' children, have changed. Generally speaking, payors will want to apply to have support reduced or terminated when their income has decreased or the children have grown up, while recipients will want to apply to have support increased when the payor's income has gone up or if the children's special expenses have increased.


This talks about changing orders made under the federal ''Divorce Act'' and the provincial ''Family Law Act'', changing orders that were made before the federal Child Support Guidelines came into effect on 1 May 1997, and changing orders that were made in a different place. This page also discusses claims for retroactive support and the important case of ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.''
This talks about changing orders made under the federal ''[[Divorce Act]]'' and the provincial ''[[Family Law Act]]'', changing orders that were made before the federal Child Support Guidelines came into effect on 1 May 1997, and changing orders that were made in a different place. This page also discusses claims for retroactive support and the important case of ''[http://canlii.ca/t/1p0tv D.B.S. v. S.R.G.]'', [2006] 2 SCR 231.


==''Divorce Act'' Orders==
==''Divorce Act'' Orders==
Line 22: Line 26:
This all boils down to these principles:
This all boils down to these principles:


#a court can make an order changing a previous child support order if a change in circumstances has occurred since the order was made;
*A court can make an order changing a previous child support order if a change in circumstances has occurred since the order was made.
#any new order for child support must be made according to the Child Support Guidelines;
*Any new order for child support must be made according to the Child Support Guidelines.
#the court may make an order for support different from the Guidelines if a previous order or agreement has made special provisions for the care of the child which would make an order under the Guidelines inappropriate; and,
*The court may make an order for support different from the Guidelines if a previous order or agreement has made special provisions for the care of the child which would make an order under the Guidelines inappropriate.
#the court may also make an order for support different from the Guidelines if both spouses agree to the order and reasonable arrangements have been made for the support of the children.
*The court may also make an order for support different from the Guidelines if both spouses agree to the order and reasonable arrangements have been made for the support of the children.


Before the Child Support Guidelines came into effect, an applicant had to show that there had been a serious and unforeseen change in circumstances before the court would hear an application to vary an order for child support. Now, an applicant must only show that there has been a change in income or the child's expenses to show that there has been a change in circumstances.
Before the Child Support Guidelines came into effect, an applicant had to show that there had been a serious and unforeseen change in circumstances before the court would hear an application to vary an order for child support. Now, an applicant must only show that there has been a change in income or the child's expenses to show that there has been a change in circumstances.
Line 36: Line 40:
<blockquote><blockquote><tt>(c) in the case of an order made before May 1, 1997, the coming into force of section 15.1 of the Act ...</tt></blockquote></blockquote>
<blockquote><blockquote><tt>(c) in the case of an order made before May 1, 1997, the coming into force of section 15.1 of the Act ...</tt></blockquote></blockquote>


===Financial Statements===
===Financial statements===


When an application to vary a child support order is brought, one or both parties may have to produce their financial information. This information is almost always given in a Financial Statement, Form F8 in the Supreme Court:
When an application to vary a child support order is brought, one or both parties may have to produce their financial information. This information is almost always given in a Financial Statement, Form F8 in the Supreme Court:


#the payor must produce a Financial Statement dealing with his or her income if the payor is paying child support according to the tables;
*The payor must produce a Financial Statement dealing with his or her income if the payor is paying child support according to the tables.
#both parties must produce Financial Statements dealing with income if custody is shared or split; and,
*Both parties must produce Financial Statements dealing with income if custody is shared or split.
#both parties must produce complete Financial Statements covering income, expenses, assets and liabilities if there is a claim about the children's special expenses, a claim for undue hardship, the payor's income is above $150,000 per year, or one or more of the children over the age of majority.
*Both parties must produce complete Financial Statements covering income, expenses, assets and liabilities if there is a claim about the children's special expenses, a claim for undue hardship, the payor's income is above $150,000 per year, or one or more of the children over the age of majority.


These new Financial Statements give the court the information it will need to make a new child support order, if it's willing to vary the original order.
These new Financial Statements give the court the information it will need to make a new child support order, if it's willing to vary the original order. Links to and examples of Supreme Court forms are available in [[Sample Supreme Court Forms (Family Law)]].


===Statutory Provisions===
===Statutory provisions===


These are the primary sections of the ''Divorce Act'' dealing with varying child support orders.
These are the primary sections of the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' dealing with varying child support orders.


*s. 2: definitions
*s. 2: definitions
Line 57: Line 61:
*s. 17: variation proceedings
*s. 17: variation proceedings


==''Family Law Act'' Orders==
==''Family Law Act'' orders==


Section 152(2) of the ''Family Law Act'' gives a court the authority to cancel, vary or suspend an order for child support where one of three conditions is met:
Section 152(2) of the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' gives a court the authority to cancel, vary or suspend an order for child support where one of three conditions is met:


<blockquote><tt>(a) a change in circumstances, as provided for in the child support guidelines, has occurred since the order respecting child support was made;</tt></blockquote>
<blockquote><tt>(a) a change in circumstances, as provided for in the child support guidelines, has occurred since the order respecting child support was made;</tt></blockquote>
Line 74: Line 78:
Under s. 148(3), the court may set aside an agreement on child support and make an order for child support in its place "if the court would make a different order" than what the agreement provides.
Under s. 148(3), the court may set aside an agreement on child support and make an order for child support in its place "if the court would make a different order" than what the agreement provides.


===Financial Statements===
===Financial statements===


When an application to vary a child support order is brought, one or both parties may have to produce their financial information. This information is almost always given in a Financial Statement, Form F8 in the Supreme Court and Form 4 in the Provincial Court:
When an application to vary a child support order is brought, one or both parties may have to produce their financial information. This information is almost always given in a Financial Statement, Form F8 in the Supreme Court and Form 4 in the Provincial Court:


#the payor must produce a Financial Statement dealing with his or her income if the payor is paying child support according to the tables;
*The payor must produce a Financial Statement dealing with his or her income if the payor is paying child support according to the tables.
#both parties must produce Financial Statements dealing with income if custody is shared or split; and,
*Both parties must produce Financial Statements dealing with income if custody is shared or split.
#both parties must produce complete Financial Statements covering income, expenses, assets and liabilities if there is a claim about the children's special expenses, a claim for undue hardship, the payor's income is above $150,000 per year, or one or more of the children over the age of majority.
*Both parties must produce complete Financial Statements covering income, expenses, assets and liabilities if there is a claim about the children's special expenses, a claim for undue hardship, the payor's income is above $150,000 per year, or one or more of the children over the age of majority.


These new Financial Statements give the court the information it will need to make a new child support order, if it's willing to vary the original order.
These new Financial Statements give the court the information it will need to make a new child support order, if it's willing to vary the original order. Links to and examples of Supreme Court forms are available in [[Sample Supreme Court Forms (Family Law)]]. For Provincial Court forms see the page on [[Sample Provincial Court Forms (Family Law)]].


===Statutory Provisions===
===Statutory provisions===


These are the primary sections of the ''Family Law Act'' dealing with varying orders and setting aside agreements for child support:
These are the primary sections of the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' dealing with varying orders and setting aside agreements for child support:


*s. 1: definitions
*s. 1: definitions
Line 96: Line 100:
*s. 173: child support has priority over spousal support
*s. 173: child support has priority over spousal support


==Orders Made Before 1 May 1997==
==Orders made before 1 May 1997==


The fact that an order or agreement was made before the Child Support Guidelines came into effect does not mean that a court ''must'' change the order or agreement to comply with the Guidelines. Although s. 17(6.1) of the ''Divorce Act'' requires the court to make an order which complies with the Guidelines, this rule does not apply to agreements and orders made before 1 May 1997. Don't be discouraged by this, however, as the court still retains the discretion to apply the Guidelines and generally will.
The fact that an order or agreement was made before the Child Support Guidelines came into effect does not mean that a court ''must'' change the order or agreement to comply with the Guidelines. Although s. 17(6.1) of the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' requires the court to make an order which complies with the Guidelines, this rule does not apply to agreements and orders made before 1 May 1997. Don't be discouraged by this, however, as the court still retains the discretion to apply the Guidelines and generally will.


If the difference between the old order and the order you seek is substantial, which it often will be, and the application is for an increased amount of child support, the court will likely be more willing to apply the Guidelines, as a higher amount of support is presumed to be in the best interests of children.
If the difference between the old order and the order you seek is substantial, which it often will be, and the application is for an increased amount of child support, the court will likely be more willing to apply the Guidelines, as a higher amount of support is presumed to be in the best interests of children.


==Orders Made Outside British Columbia==
==Orders made outside British Columbia==


It's rarely easy to change an order made outside of British Columbia because of the respect our courts must give to the authority and jurisdiction of the court that made the original order. (There a bunch of other reasons why it can be hard to change an order made outside of British Columbia, but that's the meat of it.) The process that will apply depends entirely on whether the original order was made under the federal ''Divorce Act'' or under the family law legislation of the place whose courts made the original order.
It's rarely easy to change an order made outside of British Columbia because of the respect our courts must give to the authority and jurisdiction of the court that made the original order. (There a bunch of other reasons why it can be hard to change an order made outside of British Columbia, but that's the meat of it.) The process that will apply depends entirely on whether the original order was made under the federal ''Divorce Act'' or under the family law legislation of the place whose courts made the original order.
{{LSSbadge
|resourcetype = <br/> more information on <br/> 
|link        = [http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca/resources/fact_sheets/what_if_one_party_outside_BC_Interjurisdictional.php
Interjurisdictional issues in child support]
}}
===''Divorce Act'' orders===


===''Divorce Act'' Orders===
Orders that were made elsewhere in Canada under the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' can be changed here under s. 5 of the act, as long as both parties live in British Columbia. Where one party still lives in the province whose courts made the original order, a person living here can apply to change the original order using a cumbersome, time-consuming process described in ss. 18, 19 and 20 of the act:


Orders that were made elsewhere in Canada under the ''Divorce Act'' can be changed here under s. 5 of the act, as long as both parties live in British Columbia. Where one party still lives in the province whose courts made the original order, a person living here can apply to change the original order using a cumbersome, time-consuming process described in ss. 18, 19 and 20 of the act:
#the applicant applies here for a "provisional" order changing the original order,
 
#the court sends the provisional order to the place that made the original order,
#the applicant applies here for a "provisional" order changing the original order;
#on notice to the other party, the original court holds a hearing to "confirm" the provisional order, and
#the court sends the provisional order to the place that made the original order;
#on notice to the other party, the original court holds a hearing to "confirm" the provisional order; and,
#if the provisional order is confirmed, the original order is varied, and if it is not confirmed, the original order remains unchanged.
#if the provisional order is confirmed, the original order is varied, and if it is not confirmed, the original order remains unchanged.


This process requires two hearings, one here in British Columbia for the provisional order and a second in the original court to confirm that order. The court in the other province may or may not confirm the provisional order, and may choose to send the order back here for more information. Until the provisional order is confirmed, the provisional order has no effect and the original order will continue to be the operative order.
This process requires two hearings, one here in British Columbia for the provisional order and a second in the original court to confirm that order. The court in the other province may or may not confirm the provisional order, and may choose to send the order back here for more information. Until the provisional order is confirmed, the provisional order has no effect and the original order will continue to be the operative order.


===Orders and Agreements Made under Other Laws===
===Orders and agreements made under other laws===


Orders and agreements that were made elsewhere in Canada under provincial family law legislation or were made in certain countries other than Canada, can be changed by someone living in British Columbia using the provincial ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act''. Governments that have agreed to follow this process under the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' are called ''reciprocating jurisdictions''.
Orders and agreements that were made elsewhere in Canada under provincial family law legislation or were made in certain countries other than Canada, can be changed by someone living in British Columbia using the provincial ''[http://canlii.ca/t/84l3 Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act]''. Governments that have agreed to follow this process under the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' are called ''reciprocating jurisdictions''.


The countries that will cooperate with a proceeding under the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act are: South Africa, Zimbabe, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Gibraltar, Norway, the Slovak Republic, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and its protectorates, the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Barbados and its dependencies.
The countries that will cooperate with a proceeding under the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' are: South Africa, Zimbabe, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Gibraltar, Norway, the Slovak Republic, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and its protectorates, the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Barbados and its dependencies.


The process under this act is as follows:
The process under this act is as follows:


#the person asking to change the order or agreement, the ''Applicant'', completes a bunch of forms provided by the provincial Reciprocals Office;
#the person asking to change the order or agreement, the ''applicant'', completes a bunch of forms provided by the provincial [http://www.isoforms.bc.ca Reciprocals Office],
#our Reciprocals Office sends the forms to the court that made the original order or the court of the place where the agreement was made; and,
#our Reciprocals Office sends the forms to the court that made the original order or the court of the place where the agreement was made, and
#on notice of the other party, the original court holds a hearing on the Applicant's application and may make an order varying the original order or agreement.
#on notice of the other party, the original court holds a hearing on the applicant's application and may make an order varying the original order or agreement.


Under this process, there is only one hearing and the hearing is heard by the court that made the original order. The court in the reciprocating jurisdiction may or may not make the order that the Applicant wants and may send the application back to British Columbia for more information. The original order or agreement will continue in effect until the court in the reciprocating jurisdiction varies it.
Under this process, there is only one hearing and the hearing is heard by the court that made the original order. The court in the reciprocating jurisdiction may or may not make the order that the applicant wants and may send the application back to British Columbia for more information. The original order or agreement will continue in effect until the court in the reciprocating jurisdiction varies it.


This new process is intended to simplify things by having just the one hearing. To do that, however, the process relies very heavily on paperwork and the officials of our government and the government of the reciprocating jurisdiction. As a result, applications under the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' can take a long time to process.
This new process is intended to simplify things by having just the one hearing. To do that, however, the process relies very heavily on paperwork and the officials of our government and the government of the reciprocating jurisdiction. As a result, applications under the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' can take a long time to process.


The British Columbia Reciprocals Office, along with all of the forms required by the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' can be found at www.isoforms.bc.ca.
The [http://www.isoforms.bc.ca The British Columbia Reciprocals Office], along with all of the forms required by the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' can be found at http://www.isoforms.bc.ca.


To vary an order of a country that does not participate in the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' process, you will have to apply to vary the order in that country.
To vary an order of a country that does not participate in the ''Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act'' process, you will have to apply to vary the order in that country.


==Retroactive Child Support==
==Retroactive child support==


Someone making a claim for ''retroactive'' child support is asking for an order that is to work beginning at some date in the past, before the claim is made or heard. Typically, someone receiving child support will ask for an increase in the amount of support payable dating back to when the payor's income went up. If the claim is successful, the payor will be obliged to start making payments in the amount of the new order, plus a lump sum representing the difference between the support that was paid and the support that ought to have been paid. This can sometimes be a significant financial hardship, particularly where the period of retroactive effect is long.
Someone making a claim for ''retroactive'' child support is asking for an order that is to work beginning at some date in the past, before the claim is made or heard. Typically, someone receiving child support will ask for an increase in the amount of support payable dating back to when the payor's income went up. If the claim is successful, the payor will be obliged to start making payments in the amount of the new order, plus a lump sum representing the difference between the support that was paid and the support that ought to have been paid. This can sometimes be a significant financial hardship, particularly where the period of retroactive effect is long.
Line 143: Line 151:
The trend in the recent case law on this subject has been to impose an ongoing duty on payors to disclose their income, whether they are asked for this information or not, and the courts have been increasingly willing to subject payors to retroactive orders for child support.
The trend in the recent case law on this subject has been to impose an ongoing duty on payors to disclose their income, whether they are asked for this information or not, and the courts have been increasingly willing to subject payors to retroactive orders for child support.


===The Basic Law: ''L.S. v. E.P.''===
===The basic law: ''L.S. v. E.P.''===


The case of ''L.S. v. E.P.'', a 1999 decision of our Court of Appeal, used to be the most important case on this issue in British Columbia, and still is the most important case for orders made under the ''Family Law Act''. In this case, the court set out the factors that should be considered in deciding whether there should or should not be a retroactive order for support:
The case of ''[http://canlii.ca/t/52lj L.S. v. E.P.]'', 1999 BCCA 393 a 1999 decision of our Court of Appeal, used to be the most important case on this issue in British Columbia, and still is the most important case for orders made under the ''[[Family Law Act]]''. In this case, the court set out the factors that should be considered in deciding whether there should or should not be a retroactive order for support:


<blockquote>"A review of the case law reveals that there are a number of factors which have been regarded as significant in determining whether to order or not to order retroactive child maintenance. Factors militating in favour of ordering retroactive maintenance include:</blockquote>
<blockquote>"A review of the case law reveals that there are a number of factors which have been regarded as significant in determining whether to order or not to order retroactive child maintenance. Factors militating in favour of ordering retroactive maintenance include:</blockquote>
Line 160: Line 168:
When hearing an application for retroactive child support, the court would apply these factors in deciding whether a retroactive award was warranted and, if so, how much the award should be for and when the retroactive effect of the order should begin.
When hearing an application for retroactive child support, the court would apply these factors in deciding whether a retroactive award was warranted and, if so, how much the award should be for and when the retroactive effect of the order should begin.


===A Change in the Law: ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.''===
===A change in the law: ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.''===


In July 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada released its judgment in four related cases, ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.'', ''L.J.W. v. T.A.R.'', ''Henry v. Henry'' and ''Hiemstra v. Hiemstra'', and significantly clarified the law on retroactive child support, and where it changed the law the changes weren't all that far from our Court of Appeal's decision in ''L.S. v. E.P.'' These cases are referred to collectively as just ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.'', the initials of the lead case.
In July 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada released its [http://canlii.ca/t/1p0tv judgment] in four related cases, ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.'', ''L.J.W. v. T.A.R.'', ''Henry v. Henry'' and ''Hiemstra v. Hiemstra'', and significantly clarified the law on retroactive child support, and where it changed the law the changes weren't all that far from our Court of Appeal's decision in ''L.S. v. E.P.'' These cases are referred to collectively as just ''D.B.S. v. S.R.G.'', the initials of the lead case.


The logic underlying the court's decision is this. Before the Child Support Guidelines came into effect, child support was determined using budgets and a means and needs analysis looking at the ''means'' of the parents and the real or expected ''needs'' of the children. After the Guidelines came into effect on 1 May 1997, child support was expressly linked to the income of the payor, and the payor's duty became to pay support at the amount required for his or her income, using the tables attached to the Guidelines rather than budgets and the needs-and-means analysis. As a result, the court held that a duty to pay child support — whether under a separation agreement or a court order — is never final and absolute. No orders or agreements are final on the subject of support, and both parents have the obligation of ensuring that the right amount of child support is being paid on an ongoing basis.
The logic underlying the [http://canlii.ca/t/1p0tv court's decision] is this. Before the Child Support Guidelines came into effect, child support was determined using budgets and a means and needs analysis looking at the ''means'' of the parents and the real or expected ''needs'' of the children. After the Guidelines came into effect on 1 May 1997, child support was expressly linked to the income of the payor, and the payor's duty became to pay support at the amount required for his or her income, using the tables attached to the Guidelines rather than budgets and the needs-and-means analysis. As a result, the court held that a duty to pay child support — whether under a separation agreement or a court order — is never final and absolute. No orders or agreements are final on the subject of support, and both parents have the obligation of ensuring that the right amount of child support is being paid on an ongoing basis.


The following is a summary of the important points in this decision.
The following is a summary of the important points in this decision.


====The Rationale for Retroactive Support====
====The rationale for retroactive support====


*Both parents have a duty "to ensure that their children are receiving a proper amount of support."
*Both parents have a duty "to ensure that their children are receiving a proper amount of support."
Line 174: Line 182:
*If the payor's income increases and child support does not, "there will remain an unfulfilled obligation" that could warrant a retroactive award of support.
*If the payor's income increases and child support does not, "there will remain an unfulfilled obligation" that could warrant a retroactive award of support.


====When Retroactive Child Support Should be Ordered====
====When retroactive child support should be ordered====


=====When There Is an Existing Order=====
=====When there is an existing order=====


*Child support orders "must be considered presumptively valid."
*Child support orders "must be considered presumptively valid."
Line 182: Line 190:
*An obligation to pay the proper amount of support is "independent of any court order that may have been previously awarded." Where parents fail to adjust the amount of support payable, "a court may order an award that recognizes and corrects this failure."
*An obligation to pay the proper amount of support is "independent of any court order that may have been previously awarded." Where parents fail to adjust the amount of support payable, "a court may order an award that recognizes and corrects this failure."


=====When There Is an Existing Agreement=====
=====When there is an existing agreement=====


*"A payor parent who adheres to a separation agreement that has not been endorsed by a court should not have the same expectation that (s)he is fulfilling his/her legal obligations as does a parent acting pursuant to a court order."
*"A payor parent who adheres to a separation agreement that has not been endorsed by a court should not have the same expectation that (s)he is fulfilling his/her legal obligations as does a parent acting pursuant to a court order."
Line 188: Line 196:
*"Where circumstances have changed," such that the "actual support obligations of the payor have not been met, courts may order a retroactive award."
*"Where circumstances have changed," such that the "actual support obligations of the payor have not been met, courts may order a retroactive award."


=====When There is No Order or Agreement=====
=====When there is no order or agreement=====


*There is "no restriction" as to "the date from which the court may order that the award take effect."
*There is "no restriction" as to "the date from which the court may order that the award take effect."
*"Courts will have the power to order original retroactive child support awards in appropriate circumstances."
*"Courts will have the power to order original retroactive child support awards in appropriate circumstances."


====Factors in Making Retroactive Child Support Awards====
====Factors in making retroactive child support awards====


*The child must be eligible to receive support when the application for retroactive support is made; "child support is for children of the marriage, not for adults who used to have that status."
*The child must be eligible to receive support when the application for retroactive support is made; "child support is for children of the marriage, not for adults who used to have that status."
Line 204: Line 212:
*Blameworthy conduct is "anything that privileges the payor parent's interests over his/her children's right to an appropriate amount of support," such as hiding income increases or intimidating a recipient from seeking an increase in support.
*Blameworthy conduct is "anything that privileges the payor parent's interests over his/her children's right to an appropriate amount of support," such as hiding income increases or intimidating a recipient from seeking an increase in support.


====How Far Back Child Support Awards should be Retroactive====
====How far back child support awards should be retroactive====


*The date of "effective notice" of the recipient's intention to seek an increase should be the furthest back a retroactive award should go.
*The date of "effective notice" of the recipient's intention to seek an increase should be the furthest back a retroactive award should go.
Line 211: Line 219:
*Where there is blameworthy conduct, "the presumptive date of retroactivity" will be the time the payor's "circumstances changed materially."
*Where there is blameworthy conduct, "the presumptive date of retroactivity" will be the time the payor's "circumstances changed materially."


====How Much Retroactive Child Support should be Ordered====
====How much retroactive child support should be ordered====


*Retroactive awards must ensure that the amount "fits the circumstances."
*Retroactive awards must ensure that the amount "fits the circumstances."
Line 223: Line 231:
#any hardship that a retroactive award would cause to the payor.
#any hardship that a retroactive award would cause to the payor.
*If a retroactive award is made, the award should be made retroactive to the date notice is given of the recipient's intention to seek an increase in the amount of support, but to a limit of three years. Where the payor’s conduct is blameworthy, then the support should be retroactive to the date of the change in the payor’s financial circumstances, and may be retroactive beyond the three year mark.
*If a retroactive award is made, the award should be made retroactive to the date notice is given of the recipient's intention to seek an increase in the amount of support, but to a limit of three years. Where the payor’s conduct is blameworthy, then the support should be retroactive to the date of the change in the payor’s financial circumstances, and may be retroactive beyond the three year mark.
 
<!---HIDDEN
==Further Reading in this Chapter==
==Further Reading in this Chapter==


* <span style="color: red;">bulleted list of other pages in this chapter, linked</span>
* <span style="color: red;">bulleted list of other pages in this chapter, linked</span>
 
END HIDDEN--->
==Page Resources and Links==
==Page resources and links==
 
===Legislation===
===Legislation===


* <span style="color: red;">bulleted list of linked legislation referred to in page</span>
* ''[[Family Law Act]]''
FLA, DA, ISOA, ISOA regs, CSG
* ''[[Divorce Act]]''
* ''[http://canlii.ca/t/84d8 Supreme Court Act]''
* ''[http://canlii.ca/t/849w Provincial Court Act]''
* [http://canlii.ca/t/8mcr Supreme Court Family Rules]
* [http://canlii.ca/t/85pb Provincial Court (Family) Rules]
* ''[http://canlii.ca/t/84l3 Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act]''
* ‘’[http://canlii.ca/t/84vn Interjurisdictional Support Orders Regulation]’’
* ‘’[http://canlii.ca/t/80mh Federal Child Support Guidelines]’’


===Links===
===Links===


* <span style="color: red;">bulleted list of linked external websites referred to in page</span>
* [http://www.isoforms.bc.ca The British Columbia Reciprocals Office]
* list of related public resources
* [http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca/guides/change/cantAgree/index.php Legal Services Society Family Law in BC Website: How to change a family law order (Supreme Court and Provincial Court)]
Recipricals office
* [http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca/resources/fact_sheets/changingFinalOrder.php Legal Services Society Family Law in BC Website: Fact sheet on when you can change a final order]


{{JP Boyd on Family Law Navbox|type=chapters}}
{{JP Boyd on Family Law Navbox|type=chapters}}
Retrieved from "https://stagewiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Special:MobileDiff/6859"

Navigation menu