My children's mother and I never married. Do the Guidelines apply to us?

The Guidelines are part of the Divorce Act, so they only apply to people who were legally married.

They do not apply to

• common-law marriages,
• same-sex couples, or
• parents who have a child but have not lived together in a family situation.

Parents in these situations must apply for child support under provincial laws.

For more information, see the Department of Justice Canada website.

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WARNING: The contents of these FAQs are intended as general legal information only.
If you have a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.