Section 7 Expenses and Child Support: What You Need to Know

When you’re going through a separation or divorce, the numbers don’t always tell the whole story. Yes, there’s a base amount of child support. But what about the school trip to Quebec? Orthodontics? The three after-school programs your daughter loves?

That’s where Section 7 expenses come in; a category of “special or extraordinary” costs that sit outside the regular support tables. And if you’ve never heard of them until now, you’re not alone.

This post breaks down what counts as a Section 7 expense in Canada, how these costs are shared, and what to do when things get messy.

What Exactly Are Section 7 Expenses?

Section 7 expenses are additional child-related costs that are considered necessary but not covered by standard child support. The term comes from Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which lists these costs as “special or extraordinary.”

Here’s the key distinction:Base child support is meant to cover ordinary daily expenses (like food, clothing, and housing).

Section 7 expenses cover things that are essential beyond the basics, often tied to a child’s development, health, or specific needs.

Common examples include:

• Childcare required for work or education (daycare, after-school care)

• Medical and dental costs, especially unreimbursed ones (braces, therapy, prescriptions)

• Educational expenses (tutoring, private school, post-secondary tuition)

• Extracurricular activities that are reasonable and significant to the child’s development (sports, music lessons, camps)

• Health insurance premiums for the child

⚠️ Important insight: Just because an expense is “nice to have” doesn’t make it a Section 7 expense. The expense must be necessary and reasonable, terms that are interpreted through both financial and developmental lenses.

Who Pays for Section 7 Expenses?

Unlike base child support, which follows a clear formula, Section 7 expenses require some calculation, and often, conversation. The general rule in Ontario (and across Canada) is this:👉 Section 7 expenses are shared proportionally based on each parent’s income.

For example, if one parent earns 70% of the combined family income, they typically cover 70% of these extra costs.

That said, here’s where it gets nuanced:

Factors That Influence Cost Sharing:

• Relative incomes: Proportional sharing is the norm, but financial hardship may alter it.

• Parenting time: If one parent has primary residence and bears more daily logistical costs, that may influence contribution.

• Reasonableness: An $8,000 summer camp may not qualify if it’s wildly outside the family’s financial context.

• Child-specific needs: Children with medical or developmental needs may require expenses that others wouldn’t.

  
  

In my practice, I’ve seen cases where one parent assumes a larger share not because they have to, but because it’s what’s right for the child. Others become battlegrounds over $100 gymnastics fees. Context matters.

How Are Section 7 Expenses Shared?

Once parents agree (or the court decides) that an expense qualifies, the next step is to calculate the contribution each parent owes.

Two Common Sharing Models:

1. Proportional to income: If Parent A earns $90,000 and Parent B earns $60,000 (a total of $150,000), Parent A pays 60% of qualifying expenses; Parent B pays 40%.

Example: A $1,200 orthodontic expense. Parent A pays $720; Parent B pays $480

Understand your options: Does proportional sharing make sense for your situation?

2. Equal sharing: Sometimes parents agree to split costs 50/50 regardless of income, particularly when incomes are close or for simplicity.

What If We Can’t Agree?

If you and your co-parent can’t agree on what qualifies or how to split it, mediation or court may be needed.

Disagreements Around Section 7 Expenses: What to Expect

These disputes are more common than you’d think. And they usually boil down to one of three things:

1. Disagreement over what “counts”

One parent thinks private tutoring is essential. The other thinks it’s excessive.

2. Perceived imbalance

“I already pay table support. Why should I pay extra for horseback riding?”

3. Changing financial situations

A parent loses their job or has unexpected expenses of their own.

Resolving Section 7 Disputes Without Going to Court

Here’s what I often recommend in mediation when Section 7 expenses become a sticking point:

🔹 Put it in writing early

List and agree on expected annual costs in your Separation Agreement (e.g., daycare, therapy, activities). Review it annually.

🔹 Communicate before you commit

Don’t enroll your child in a $2,000 summer camp and then ask for half. Courts look unfavourably on unilateral decisions.

🔹 Use mediation to clarify grey areas

A neutral mediator can help assess reasonableness and find a compromise, especially for recurring expenses.

🔹 Be open to context

A family that could easily afford ballet pre-separation may need to rethink priorities now. Reasonableness adjusts with financial reality.

Why This Matters

Section 7 expenses are often where goodwill in co-parenting is tested, and where children feel the impact most directly. When parents handle these discussions with transparency and cooperation, the child benefits. When they become another battleground, the child often feels stuck in the middle.

And if you’re unsure where to begin, or how to approach these conversations? That’s exactly where mediation helps. You don’t need to navigate these decisions alone.

Let’s Take the Next Step Together

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the financial conversations of separation or worried about how Section 7 costs will affect your parenting plan, I invite you to reach out.

Your 20 minute discovery call is free. Let’s have a real conversation about what fairness can look like for your family.