Family Law Skip to main content Skip to "About government" Switch to basic HTML version Language selection Français Search Search Canada.ca Search Menu Main Menu Jobs and the workplace Immigration and citizenship Travel and tourism Business and industry Benefits Health Taxes Environment and natural resources National security and defence Culture, history and sport Policing, justice and emergencies Transport and infrastructure Canada and the world Money and finances Science and innovation Phone Scam Warning Fraudsters are pretending to be from the Department of Justice You are here: Home Quick escape Quick escape x Family Law Divorce and separation are some of the most stressful situations a family can experience and family law is complex. This website provides general information. You are encouraged to contact a lawyer for professional legal advice and help with family law issues. The child support amounts in the Federal Child Support Tables have been updated to reflect more recent tax rules. The updated Tables came into effect on October 1, 2025. The Divorce Act changed as of March 1, 2021. There are no changes to the grounds for divorce or how to apply for divorce. The most significant difference is the change in terminology. The Act now uses “parenting arrangements” (formerly known as “custody and access”) to describe where the children will live and how decisions about them will be made. The Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act (FOAEAA) changed as of November 15, 2023. Part I of the FOAEAA now allows for the release of a person’s income information to assist in support cases. For more information see Helping with Family Obligations. As of February 1, 2024, families in Ontario and Manitoba may be eligible to receive child or spousal support for which they were not previously eligible from parents outside Canada. Families in British Columbia may be eligible on March 1, 2024. To learn more, see Enforcement of child and spousal support payments between provinces, territories and countries. Most requested Calculate child support amounts Find family justice services near you Create a parenting plan Services and information Changes to family laws Changes to the Divorce Act came into force on March 1, 2021. Changes to federal support enforcement laws will come into force at different times over the next two years. Learn how these changes may affect you. Child Support Children need financial support from their parents – and they have a legal right to it. Divorce and Separation If you separate or divorce, you will need to make many important decisions such as where you will live and how you will manage your finances. Helping with Family Obligations A support order from a court is a legal document. Family Justice Services If you are dealing with divorce, separation or other family law issues, you're not alone. Parenting Arrangements When deciding how to care for your children during and after a separation or divorce, there are a lot of things to think about. Spousal Support Spousal Support is money paid by one spouse to the other after they separate or divorce. Publications Please note that, as of November 18, 2013, Publishing and Depository Services no longer administers Crown copyright and licensing on behalf of Government of Canada departments and agencies. Provincial and Territorial Government Web Sites The Constitution gives federal, provincial and territorial governments specific powers for family law in Canada. Give feedback about this page Did you find what you were looking for? Yes Yes No If not, tell us why below: Tell us why below: Please provide more details You will not receive a reply. Don't include personal information (telephone, email, SIN, financial, medical, or work details). Maximum 300 characters Submit Thank you for your feedback. Date modified: 2025-10-01 Department of Justice Canada Family Law Criminal Justice Funding Canada's System of Justice Laws Government of Canada All contacts Departments and agencies About government Themes and topics Jobs Immigration and citizenship Travel and tourism Business Benefits Health Taxes Environment and natural resources National security and defence Culture, history and sport Policing, justice and emergencies Transport and infrastructure Canada and the world Money and finance Science and innovation Indigenous peoples Veterans and military Youth Social media Mobile applications About Canada.ca Terms and conditions Privacy Top of Page