New Brunswick child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) and province-specific tables that set monthly payment amounts based on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. For one child with a payor earning $60,000 annually, the 2025 New Brunswick table amount is approximately $573 per month. New Brunswick also offers a free Child Support Recalculation Service that adjusts payments annually without returning to court, available to families where both parents reside in the province.
Key Facts: New Brunswick Child Support at a Glance
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law (Federal) | Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.) and Federal Child Support Guidelines, SOR/97-175 |
| Governing Law (Provincial) | Family Law Act, SNB 2020, c. 23 and NB Reg 2021-19 (Child Support Guidelines) |
| Court | Court of King's Bench, Family Division |
| Filing Fee (Divorce Petition) | Approximately $110 (as of March 2026. Verify with your local clerk.) |
| Certificate of Divorce Fee | $7 |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year of habitual residence in New Brunswick before filing under the Divorce Act |
| Child Support Tables | 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for New Brunswick (updated periodically) |
| Shared Parenting Threshold | 40% of parenting time triggers offset calculation under Section 9, SOR/97-175 |
| Recalculation Service | Free annual recalculation available at gnb.ca/csrs |
| Age of Majority | 19 years old in New Brunswick |
What Is the New Brunswick Child Support Calculator and How Does It Work?
The New Brunswick child support calculator is a tool that applies the Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) to determine monthly child support obligations based on the paying parent's gross annual income, the number of children, and the parenting arrangement type. Under Section 3 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, the basic table amount is determined by cross-referencing the payor's income against the province-specific table for New Brunswick.
New Brunswick is governed by two overlapping legal frameworks for child support. The federal Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.) applies when parents are divorcing or have divorced. The provincial Family Law Act, SNB 2020, c. 23 applies to unmarried parents or married parents who are separating but not yet divorcing. Both frameworks use the same Federal Child Support Tables for New Brunswick, meaning the calculation process is identical regardless of which statute applies.
The child support calculator requires three core inputs to generate an estimate. First, the gross annual income of the paying parent before taxes and deductions. Second, the number of children under 19 (or over 19 if still dependent due to education, illness, or disability). Third, the type of parenting arrangement: sole, shared (each parent has at least 40% parenting time), or split (each parent has primary parenting time with at least one child). These three variables determine the base table amount, which may then be adjusted for Section 7 special expenses.
How Is Income Determined for the Child Support Worksheet in New Brunswick?
Income for New Brunswick child support calculations is based on the paying parent's gross annual income as reported on Line 15000 of the Canadian T1 tax return, with adjustments outlined in Schedule III of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, SOR/97-175. Self-employment income, capital gains, partnership income, and rental income are all included after specific adjustments prescribed by the Guidelines.
The income determination process follows a structured hierarchy. The court first looks at the most recent tax return and Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. If the paying parent earned employment income, the gross amount before deductions is used. For self-employed parents, the court may adjust reported income to account for expenses that were not necessary to earn the income, excessive capital cost allowances, or non-recurring losses.
New Brunswick courts may impute income under Section 19 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines when a parent is intentionally underemployed, unemployed without justification, fails to disclose financial information, or diverts income through a corporation or trust. Imputed income means the court assigns an income level based on what the parent could reasonably earn given their education, work history, and local job market conditions. The 2025 New Brunswick median household income was approximately $72,000, which courts may reference as a benchmark when imputing income.
For parents earning over $150,000, the child support calculation changes. Under Section 4 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, the table amount applies to the first $150,000 of income, and the court has discretion to add a percentage of income above $150,000 based on the child's needs and the parent's ability to pay. This two-tier approach prevents windfall amounts while ensuring children benefit from a higher-income parent's resources.
What Are the 2025 Federal Child Support Table Amounts for New Brunswick?
The 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for New Brunswick set monthly base amounts ranging from $0 for incomes below $12,000 to over $2,200 per month for one child at incomes of $150,000. These tables are updated periodically by the Department of Justice Canada and account for New Brunswick's provincial tax rates, which differ from other provinces.
| Gross Annual Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $256/mo | $431/mo | $562/mo | $656/mo |
| $40,000 | $363/mo | $597/mo | $764/mo | $882/mo |
| $50,000 | $468/mo | $759/mo | $960/mo | $1,098/mo |
| $60,000 | $573/mo | $917/mo | $1,147/mo | $1,304/mo |
| $80,000 | $782/mo | $1,220/mo | $1,500/mo | $1,691/mo |
| $100,000 | $985/mo | $1,492/mo | $1,818/mo | $2,041/mo |
| $120,000 | $1,169/mo | $1,736/mo | $2,103/mo | $2,355/mo |
| $150,000 | $1,416/mo | $2,067/mo | $2,489/mo | $2,780/mo |
Note: These amounts are approximate and based on the 2025 simplified federal tables for New Brunswick. Exact amounts should be verified using the official tables published by the Department of Justice Canada at the Open Government Portal. Table amounts change when federal or provincial tax rates are updated.
The table amount represents the base child support obligation only. It does not include Section 7 special or extraordinary expenses, which are calculated separately and shared proportionally between parents based on their respective incomes.
How Does Shared Parenting Time Affect Child Support Calculations in New Brunswick?
When each parent exercises at least 40% of parenting time with a child over the course of a year (approximately 146 nights), Section 9 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines requires the court to use an offset calculation rather than the standard table amount. The offset method calculates each parent's table amount based on their respective incomes, and the parent with the higher table amount pays the difference to the other parent.
The 40% threshold is a bright-line rule under the Federal Child Support Guidelines. At 39% parenting time, the standard table amount applies in full against the paying parent. At 40%, the calculation shifts to the offset method, which typically results in a lower child support payment. This creates a significant financial difference at the threshold. For example, if Parent A earns $80,000 and Parent B earns $40,000, and they share parenting time 50/50 for one child, Parent A's table amount is $782 per month and Parent B's is $363 per month, resulting in an offset payment of $419 per month from Parent A to Parent B.
New Brunswick courts also consider two additional factors under Section 9 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines when determining shared parenting child support: the increased costs of maintaining two homes capable of accommodating the child, and the conditions, means, needs, and other circumstances of each parent and child. These factors give courts discretion to adjust the offset amount upward or downward based on the specific family situation.
Parenting time is measured across the entire year, not month by month. Courts look at the actual parenting schedule, including holidays, summer vacation, and any other periods where the schedule varies from the regular arrangement. A parent who has every other weekend plus one midweek overnight typically reaches approximately 30-35% parenting time, which falls below the 40% shared parenting threshold.
What Are Section 7 Special or Extraordinary Expenses in New Brunswick?
Under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, special or extraordinary expenses are added to the base table amount and shared between parents in proportion to their respective incomes. These expenses must be reasonable and necessary in the child's best interests, considering the family's pre-separation spending patterns. Common Section 7 expenses include childcare costs ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 annually in New Brunswick, depending on the child's age and type of care.
The Guidelines identify seven specific categories of Section 7 expenses. Childcare expenses incurred as a result of the primary parent's employment, illness, disability, or education are the most common category. Dental and medical insurance premiums not covered by employer plans qualify, as do health-related expenses exceeding $100 annually that are not covered by insurance, including orthodontics, prescription medications, physiotherapy, and counselling. Extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary education include private school tuition, tutoring for learning disabilities, and specialized educational programs. Post-secondary education expenses cover tuition, books, residence, and reasonable living costs. Extraordinary expenses for extracurricular activities encompass competitive sports, music lessons, and other structured activities that exceed what is considered ordinary.
The proportional sharing formula works as follows. If Parent A earns $80,000 and Parent B earns $40,000, their combined income is $120,000. Parent A's share is 66.7% ($80,000 divided by $120,000) and Parent B's share is 33.3%. If annual childcare costs are $12,000, Parent A pays $8,004 and Parent B pays $3,996, in addition to the base table child support amount. New Brunswick courts subtract any tax deductions or credits received for these expenses before calculating each parent's proportional share, reducing the net cost to both parents.
How Does the New Brunswick Child Support Recalculation Service Work?
New Brunswick's Child Support Recalculation Service (CSRS) is a free government program that automatically adjusts child support payments annually based on updated income information, without requiring parents to return to court. The service was launched in 2022 and is administered by the Department of Justice and Public Safety. Parents can apply online at gnb.ca/csrs once their existing court order or agreement has been in place for at least one year.
Eligibility requirements for the CSRS include four conditions. Both parents must reside in New Brunswick. The existing child support order or agreement must have been in effect for at least 12 months (applications can be submitted 120 days before the anniversary date). Neither parent's gross annual income can exceed $150,000. The order must follow the standard Federal Child Support Guidelines table amounts without significant departures.
The recalculation process follows a structured timeline each year. The service requests updated income information from both parents, including the most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. The CSRS then recalculates the child support amount using the current Federal Child Support Tables for New Brunswick. If the recalculated amount differs from the current amount by more than $5.00 per month, both parents receive a written recalculation decision specifying the new amount and effective date. Either parent has 30 days to object by filing an application to the Court of King's Bench to change the support amount. If neither parent objects within 30 days, the recalculated amount becomes enforceable as if it were a court order.
The CSRS offers significant cost savings compared to court-based modifications. A motion to vary child support through the Court of King's Bench costs approximately $110 in filing fees, plus legal fees that typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 for a contested variation. The recalculation service eliminates both costs, making annual adjustments accessible to all New Brunswick families regardless of income.
What Steps Should You Follow to Calculate Child Support in New Brunswick?
Calculating child support in New Brunswick requires following a 6-step process that mirrors the Federal Child Support Guidelines framework. The entire calculation can be completed in approximately 30 minutes using the divorce.law child support calculator, which applies the 2025 New Brunswick tables automatically based on the inputs you provide.
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Determine the paying parent's gross annual income using Line 15000 of the most recent T1 tax return, adjusted for self-employment deductions, capital gains, and other items listed in Schedule III of the Federal Child Support Guidelines
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Count the number of children eligible for support, including children under 19 and dependent children over 19 who are enrolled in full-time education or unable to support themselves due to illness or disability
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Identify the parenting arrangement type: sole parenting (one parent has more than 60% of parenting time), shared parenting (each parent has at least 40% of parenting time under Section 9, SOR/97-175), or split parenting (each parent has primary parenting time with at least one child under Section 8, SOR/97-175)
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Look up the base table amount in the 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for New Brunswick, matching the payor's income and number of children. For shared parenting, calculate both parents' table amounts and subtract the lower from the higher to determine the offset
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Calculate Section 7 special or extraordinary expenses by listing all qualifying expenses under Section 7, SOR/97-175, subtracting applicable tax benefits, and dividing the net cost proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income
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Add the base table amount (or offset amount for shared parenting) to each parent's proportional share of Section 7 expenses to arrive at the total monthly child support obligation
For incomes above $150,000, Section 4 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines applies. The table amount covers the first $150,000, and the court determines an additional amount for income above that threshold based on the child's circumstances and the parent's ability to contribute.
When Can a New Brunswick Court Deviate from the Child Support Table Amount?
New Brunswick courts may order child support above or below the table amount under Section 10 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines when strict application of the tables would cause undue hardship to either parent or a child. Undue hardship claims succeed in fewer than 15% of cases nationally because the threshold is intentionally high, requiring proof that the claimant's household standard of living is lower than the other parent's household standard of living.
The Guidelines list specific circumstances that may constitute undue hardship. Unusually high debts reasonably incurred to support the family before separation qualify, such as a mortgage taken on to maintain the family home. An obligation to support another person the parent has a legal duty to support, including a child from another relationship or a new spouse who is unable to work, may also qualify. Unusually high expenses related to exercising parenting time, such as long-distance travel costs exceeding $5,000 annually, are recognized grounds. A legal duty under a court order or separation agreement to support another person, and high debts incurred to earn a living, round out the enumerated circumstances.
The undue hardship analysis requires a two-step test. First, the parent must demonstrate that one of the enumerated circumstances exists. Second, the court compares the household standards of living using the comparison of household standards of living test prescribed in Schedule II of the Federal Child Support Guidelines. This test accounts for household size, income from all sources (including new partners), and adjusts for the number of dependants. If the claiming parent's household standard of living is higher than the other parent's, the undue hardship claim fails regardless of the severity of the hardship.
How Do You Enforce a Child Support Order in New Brunswick?
New Brunswick enforces child support orders through the Office of Support Enforcement (OSE), which has authority to garnish wages, intercept federal payments (including tax refunds and Employment Insurance benefits), suspend drivers' licenses and passports, register liens against property, and report defaults to credit bureaus. The OSE collects approximately $45 million in support payments annually across New Brunswick, with a compliance rate of approximately 75%.
Registration with the OSE is automatic for all new child support orders made in New Brunswick courts. Both parents receive notice of registration and the paying parent must direct all payments through the OSE unless the court orders otherwise. The OSE monitors payments and takes enforcement action when a payor falls 30 days or more behind. Wage garnishment is the most common enforcement tool, requiring the employer to deduct child support directly from the payor's wages before issuing payment.
For parents who have relocated outside New Brunswick, the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act (SNB 2002, c. I-12.05) allows New Brunswick orders to be enforced in other Canadian provinces and territories through a reciprocal registration process. International enforcement is available in countries that have reciprocal agreements with Canada, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and approximately 30 other countries through the Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Brunswick Child Support Calculator
How much child support will I pay in New Brunswick for one child?
Child support for one child in New Brunswick is determined by the Federal Child Support Tables based on the paying parent's gross annual income. At $50,000 income, the base table amount is approximately $468 per month. At $80,000, it rises to approximately $782 per month. Section 7 special expenses are added on top of the table amount and shared proportionally between parents.
Can I use the child support calculator if both parents live in different provinces?
When parents live in different provinces, the applicable child support table is determined by the province where the paying parent resides, not where the child lives. Under Section 3(b) of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, if the paying parent lives in Ontario and the child lives in New Brunswick, the Ontario table applies. The child support calculator must be set to the paying parent's province of residence for an accurate estimate.
Does the child support estimator account for shared parenting time in New Brunswick?
The child support calculator for New Brunswick includes a shared parenting calculation when each parent has at least 40% of parenting time (approximately 146 nights per year). Under Section 9, SOR/97-175, both parents' incomes are entered, each parent's table amount is calculated, and the parent with the higher amount pays the difference (offset) to the other parent.
What income do I enter into the New Brunswick child support worksheet?
Enter the paying parent's gross annual income from Line 15000 of the most recent T1 Canadian tax return. Adjustments under Schedule III of the Federal Child Support Guidelines apply for self-employment income, capital gains, partnership income, and dividends. The child support worksheet requires pre-tax income, not take-home pay, and courts may impute income under Section 19 if a parent is intentionally underemployed.
How often are New Brunswick child support table amounts updated?
The Federal Child Support Tables for New Brunswick are updated by the Department of Justice Canada whenever federal or provincial tax rates change significantly. The most recent update produced the 2025 tables, which reflect current New Brunswick provincial income tax brackets. Parents can use the free Child Support Recalculation Service at gnb.ca/csrs to have their orders automatically adjusted annually based on updated income, without returning to court.
Can child support be changed if my income drops significantly in New Brunswick?
A material change in circumstances, such as a 10% or greater income reduction due to job loss, illness, or involuntary pay cut, qualifies for a child support variation under Section 17 of the Divorce Act. Parents enrolled in the Child Support Recalculation Service receive automatic annual adjustments. For immediate changes, a motion to vary can be filed with the Court of King's Bench, Family Division, for a filing fee of approximately $110.
What happens if the other parent refuses to disclose income for the child support calculation?
Under Section 21 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, both parents have a legal obligation to provide complete financial disclosure, including 3 years of tax returns, Notices of Assessment, and current pay stubs. If a parent refuses, the court may impute income based on available evidence, draw an adverse inference that the non-disclosing parent earns more than claimed, order costs against the non-disclosing parent, or find the parent in contempt of court.
Does the New Brunswick child support calculator include post-secondary education costs?
The base child support calculator covers table amounts only. Post-secondary education costs are classified as Section 7 special expenses under Section 7(1)(e) of the Federal Child Support Guidelines and are shared proportionally between parents based on their respective incomes. In New Brunswick, annual university tuition averages $7,500 to $9,000, plus $8,000 to $12,000 for residence and living expenses, making post-secondary support a significant additional obligation beyond the base table amount.
Is there a maximum child support amount in New Brunswick?
The Federal Child Support Tables for New Brunswick provide specific amounts up to $150,000 in annual income. For income exceeding $150,000, Section 4 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines gives the court discretion to set the amount above $150,000 based on the child's needs and the family's circumstances. There is no statutory cap on child support in Canada, though courts balance the child's reasonable needs against the paying parent's overall financial obligations.
How does the income shares model work in the New Brunswick child support calculator?
Canada's Federal Child Support Guidelines use a percentage-of-income model, not a true income shares model. The base table amount is calculated using only the paying parent's gross income under standard sole-parenting arrangements. Both parents' incomes become relevant in three situations: shared parenting time arrangements under Section 9, SOR/97-175 (40% or more parenting time each), split parenting arrangements under Section 8, and proportional sharing of Section 7 special expenses. The child support calculator for New Brunswick applies the correct formula automatically based on the parenting arrangement type selected.