How is child support calculated in Northwest Territories?

Northwest Territories uses the Federal Child Support Guidelines to calculate child support. The paying parent's gross annual income is used with the Federal Child Support Tables. Support is adjusted for shared custody (40%+ parenting time) and Section 7 special expenses.

What triggers the shared custody adjustment in Northwest Territories?

When each parent has the child at least 40% of the time (approximately 146 days/year), a set-off calculation applies. Both parents' table amounts are calculated and the higher-income parent pays the difference.

Can child support be modified in Northwest Territories?

Yes. A significant change in circumstances — substantial income change, change in custody arrangements, or change in the child's needs — can justify a variation. You apply to the Northwest Territories court to vary the existing order.

Northwest TerritoriesFederal GuidelinesSection 7 ExpensesFree · 2026

Northwest Territories Child Support Calculator 2026

Estimate monthly child support in Northwest Territories using the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Based on the paying parent's gross income, number of children, shared custody, and Section 7 expenses.

1Enter paying parent's income

2Set number of children & custody %

3Add Section 7 expenses (optional)

By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026

Estimates only — not legal advice. Courts make final determinations. Consult a family law attorney.

Child Support Calculator

Enter details to estimate payments

1Location

Country

Province

Federal Child Support Guidelines. Section 7 expenses added separately.

2Number of Children

child

3Gross Monthly Income

Parent A

CA$

Self-employed

Parent B

CA$

Self-employed

4Parenting Time

A70%·B30%

Parent A's custody %. Parent B calculated automatically.

5Who Pays Support?

Parent A

Pays support

Parent B

Pays support

Northwest Territories · Federal Guidelines

Estimated Child Support

$281

per month

$3,372

per year

Parent B pays·1 child·9.4% of payer income·Combined $8,000/mo

Weekly

$65

Biweekly

$130

Monthly

$281

Annual

$3,372

Income & custody split

Parent A — $5,000/mo62.5%

Parent B — $3,000/mo37.5%

Parent A custodyParent B custody

70%30%

Calculation breakdown

Base Support$281

Monthly Support$281

Typical range$253 – $309

Guideline: Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) - 2025 Tables effective Oct 1, 2025

Updated: October 2025 · Official source

Recalculate if income changes by about 15–20% or more.

Shared custody can lower the paying parent's obligation.

This is an estimate only — courts make the final order.

Child support is generally not tax deductible or taxable income.

Add-ons like childcare, insurance, or medical costs can raise the total.

High-income cases above guideline caps often use court discretion.

Verify amounts with the official calculator for your location.

Consider a family law professional before relying on any estimate.

Estimate only — not a court order.

Northwest Territories child support — key facts

FormulaFederal Child Support Guidelines
Shared custody threshold40% of time (≈146 days/yr)
Section 7 expensesSplit proportionally by income
Guideline referenceFederal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) - 2025 Tables effective Oct 1, 2025
CurrencyCanadian dollar (CAD)

Example: $5,000 + $3,000 income, 2 kids, 70/30 custody

Combined income$8,000

Parent A share62.5%

Parent B share37.5%

Monthly support$540

Annual support$6,480

Estimate only. Excludes Section 7 special expenses.

Other provinces & territories

Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon

Canada overview

How child support is calculated in Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which use a table-based approach. The paying parent's gross annual income is the primary variable. Federal tables specific to Northwest Territories provide a monthly base amount for each income level and number of children. This base amount is then adjusted for shared custody (if each parent has 40%+ of time) and increased by any agreed Section 7 special expenses.

1Determine the paying parent's gross annual income

2Look up base amount in the Federal Child Support Tables for Northwest Territories

3Apply shared custody set-off if each parent has 40%+ of time (≈146 days/yr)

4Add each parent's proportional share of Section 7 special expenses

2026 Federal Child Support Table — Northwest Territories

Monthly base amounts (CAD) by gross annual income and number of children. Source: SOR/97-175 (SOR/2025-166), effective October 1, 2025.

Annual Income	1 Child	2 Children	3 Children	4 Children
$30k	$229	$485	$665	$718
$40k	$337	$617	$842	$1,025
$50k	$463	$795	$1,061	$1,278
$60k	$558	$943	$1,251	$1,503
$70k	$654	$1,092	$1,443	$1,729
$80k	$753	$1,245	$1,640	$1,962
$100k	$948	$1,550	$2,031	$2,425
$125k	$1,168	$1,892	$2,471	$2,945
$150k	$1,383	$2,226	$2,900	$3,452

Amounts shown are the base monthly support for sole custody. Shared custody (40%+ time each), Section 7 expenses, and undue hardship adjustments may change the final amount. For income over $150,000, courts apply Section 4 of the Guidelines.

Section 7 expenses in Northwest Territories

Section 7 (or equivalent special) expenses sit on top of the base support amount and can add a significant sum. In Northwest Territories, these are shared between parents in proportion to their incomes — the parent earning 60% of combined income covers 60% of agreed Section 7 expenses.

Childcare (daycare, after-school, nanny)

Child's share of health/dental insurance

Medical/dental costs over $100/year

Orthodontics, glasses, therapy

Extraordinary extracurriculars (sports, music)

Private school or tutoring

Post-secondary education costs

Summer camps (educational component)

Frequently asked questions — Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The paying parent's gross annual income is used to look up a table amount based on number of children. Shared custody (40%+ time each) triggers a set-off calculation. Section 7 special expenses are added and split by income ratio.

The paying parent's gross annual income, number of children, and parenting time percentage are the main factors. Section 7 expenses and other dependants can adjust the final amount.

When each parent has the child at least 40% of the time (approximately 146 days/year), a set-off approach applies. Both parents' table amounts are calculated and the higher-income parent pays the difference. Courts have discretion to consider the actual increased costs of maintaining two homes for the child.

Yes. A significant change in circumstances — typically a 10%+ change in income, change in custody, or change in the child's needs — can support a variation application. Some provinces also have administrative recalculation programs that update amounts annually using filed tax returns.

In Northwest Territories, child support generally continues until the child reaches the age of majority (18 in most provinces, 19 in some). It can continue for children in post-secondary education, those with disabilities, or anyone who cannot withdraw from parental charge.

Official sources — Northwest Territories

Guideline reference: Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) - 2025 Tables effective Oct 1, 2025

Legal disclaimer: This Northwest Territories child support calculator provides estimates only and is not legal advice. Courts make final determinations. Always verify with official government tools and consult a family law professional in Northwest Territories.