Child support in Yukon is determined by the Federal Child Support Tables, which set mandatory monthly payment amounts based on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children requiring support. For a parent earning $60,000 annually, the 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for Yukon require monthly payments of $546 for one child and $923 for two children. These amounts are legally binding under the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.) for divorced parents or the Yukon Child Support Guidelines (YOIC 2000/63) for unmarried parents.
Key Facts: Yukon Child Support
| Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Applicable Law | Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) |
| Tables Effective Date | October 1, 2025 |
| Minimum Income Threshold | $16,000/year (no support below this) |
| Supreme Court Filing Fee | $180 (as of January 2026) |
| Residency Requirement | 12 months in Yukon |
| Enforcement Agency | Yukon Maintenance Enforcement Program |
| Income Calculation | Gross annual income before deductions |
| Shared Parenting Threshold | 40% or more parenting time |
How Child Support Is Calculated in Yukon
Yukon child support calculations follow a straightforward formula established by the Federal Child Support Guidelines under SOR/97-175. The paying parent's gross annual income determines the base monthly amount, with no discretion for judges to deviate from table amounts in standard cases. For divorced parents, the Federal Child Support Guidelines apply as regulations under the Canada Divorce Act. For unmarried parents, the nearly identical Yukon Child Support Guidelines apply under the Family Property and Support Act.
The calculation process requires three pieces of information: the paying parent's gross annual income before taxes, the number of children requiring support, and the territory where the paying parent resides. Yukon has its own specific table within the Federal Child Support Guidelines, reflecting the territory's distinct economic conditions and higher cost of living compared to southern provinces.
When determining how much is child support in Yukon, courts use Line 15000 of the paying parent's most recent tax return as the starting point. If the parent is self-employed or has income from multiple sources, the calculation becomes more complex and may require professional assessment. Employment income uses the current gross income before any deductions for taxes, CPP, EI, or other withholdings.
2025 Yukon Child Support Table Amounts
The following table shows the monthly child support amounts required under the 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for Yukon, effective October 1, 2025:
| Paying Parent's Annual Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,000 | $299 | $563 | $774 | $947 |
| $49,000 | $442 | $761 | $1,017 | $1,226 |
| $54,500 | $495 | $845 | $1,125 | $1,354 |
| $60,000 | $546 | $923 | $1,225 | $1,473 |
| $75,000 | $691 | $1,137 | $1,491 | $1,786 |
| $100,000 | $921 | $1,487 | $1,930 | $2,302 |
| $120,000 | $1,085 | $1,741 | $2,252 | $2,680 |
| $150,000 | $1,323 | $2,099 | $2,697 | $3,195 |
The average child support payment in Yukon for one child with a parent earning the territorial median income of approximately $60,000 is $546 per month or $6,552 annually. For incomes above $150,000, Section 4 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines grants courts discretion to determine appropriate amounts.
The October 2025 Table Update: What Changed
The Federal Child Support Tables received their first comprehensive update since 2017 when new amounts came into effect on October 1, 2025. The Department of Justice Canada modified the tables to reflect current tax rules and economic conditions. The most significant change raised the income threshold below which no child support is payable from $13,000 to $16,000 per year.
Parents with existing child support orders should understand that these orders do not automatically update to reflect the new table amounts. If the updated table amount differs significantly from the current order, either parent may apply to vary the existing order. In Yukon, the Maintenance Enforcement Program can assist with recalculation services when income information is available.
Under the 2021 Divorce Act amendments, child support recalculation services gained authority to deem a paying parent's income if they fail to provide current financial information. This change prevents parents from avoiding their obligations by simply not disclosing income. The regulations establish a standard calculation method using percentage increases based on the number of years since the last order.
Special and Extraordinary Expenses (Section 7)
Beyond the base table amount, parents may share additional costs classified as special or extraordinary expenses under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines. These expenses are added to the monthly child support amount and divided between parents in proportion to their respective incomes. If one parent earns $75,000 and the other earns $25,000, they would split Section 7 expenses 75% and 25% respectively.
Section 7 expenses in Yukon include childcare costs necessary for employment or education, health-related expenses exceeding $100 annually not covered by insurance, the child's portion of medical and dental insurance premiums, extraordinary educational expenses for primary and secondary school, and post-secondary education costs. Extracurricular activities qualify only when they are extraordinary given the family's circumstances.
The test for whether an expense qualifies requires that it be necessary because it serves the child's best interests and reasonable given both parents' financial means and the family's spending patterns before separation. Regular costs like meals, standard clothing, school supplies, and routine babysitting are already included in the base table amount and cannot be claimed separately.
Shared Parenting Time Arrangements
When a child spends at least 40% of their time with each parent over the course of a year, the standard table calculation does not apply. Under shared parenting arrangements as defined in Section 9 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, courts consider three factors: the table amounts for each parent based on their respective incomes, the increased costs associated with shared parenting arrangements, and the specific conditions, means, and needs of each parent and child.
The 40% threshold translates to approximately 146 nights per year with each parent. Courts calculate this based on the actual parenting schedule, not simply what an order states. In Yukon, where distances between communities can be substantial and weather affects travel, courts pay particular attention to how shared arrangements function in practice during the territory's harsh winters.
For shared parenting calculations, the typical approach sets off one parent's table amount against the other's. If Parent A earns $80,000 and Parent B earns $50,000, the court calculates what each would pay the other under the tables, then nets the difference. This set-off amount provides the starting point, which courts may adjust based on the actual division of expenses and the children's needs.
Undue Hardship Claims
Yukon courts may order child support amounts different from the table calculations when either parent or the child would suffer undue hardship under the standard formula. Section 10 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines establishes specific circumstances that may justify a hardship claim, though success requires meeting a high threshold.
Circumstances potentially causing undue hardship include unusually high debts reasonably incurred to support the family or earn a living, unusually high expenses related to exercising parenting time with the child, legal obligations to support other persons under court orders or separation agreements, and legal duties to support other children who cannot provide for themselves due to illness, disability, or other causes.
To succeed on an undue hardship claim, the claiming parent must demonstrate that following the table amount would create genuine hardship and that their household's standard of living is lower than the other parent's household. Courts compare total household income, not just the parents' individual incomes. If the claiming parent has a new spouse earning substantial income, the hardship claim will likely fail even if the parent's individual circumstances suggest hardship.
Imputing Income When Parents Hide Earnings
Yukon courts possess authority to impute income to a parent who appears to be intentionally unemployed, underemployed, or hiding income to reduce child support obligations. Imputed income means the court bases child support on what the parent should be earning rather than what they report earning. This prevents parents from avoiding their obligations through voluntary choices that reduce their apparent income.
Situations warranting imputed income include parents who quit jobs without reasonable explanation, those who take lower-paying positions despite better qualifications, self-employed individuals whose lifestyle exceeds their reported income, and parents who fail to provide required financial disclosure. If a parent does not provide the court with complete income information, the judge may estimate income based on available evidence.
The 2021 Divorce Act amendments strengthened income imputation provisions for recalculation services. When a paying parent fails to provide income information as required, child support services can now deem income using a standard formula. This deemed amount increases based on how many years have passed since the last order, creating an incentive for parents to maintain current financial disclosure.
Yukon Maintenance Enforcement Program
The Yukon Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) provides free enforcement services for child support orders. Located at 301 Jarvis Street in Whitehorse, the program helps parents collect court-ordered support when voluntary payments are not made. As long as one party resides in Yukon, MEP can assist regardless of where the other parent lives.
Following a September 2025 Yukon Court of Appeal decision in Rogers v. Maintenance Enforcement Program, the government introduced the Income Exempt from Garnishment Regulation under the Maintenance Enforcement Act. This regulation sets $16,000 as the minimum annual income exempt from garnishment, aligning with the new threshold in the Federal Child Support Tables.
MEP's enforcement tools include wage garnishment, intercepting income tax refunds, reporting non-payment to credit bureaus, suspending driver's licenses and passports, and filing federal and provincial liens against property. The program works cooperatively with maintenance enforcement programs across all Canadian provinces and territories and maintains reciprocal agreements with several countries for international enforcement.
Filing for Child Support in Yukon
To obtain a child support order in Yukon, at least one parent must have been ordinarily resident in the territory for at least one full year immediately before filing. This residency requirement applies under Section 3(1) of the Divorce Act for divorce applications or under territorial legislation for unmarried parents. Being ordinarily resident means habitually living in Yukon as a regular place of abode—a mailing address or property ownership alone does not satisfy the requirement.
Applications are filed with the Supreme Court of Yukon Registry at the Law Courts Building, 2134 Second Avenue in Whitehorse. The filing fee for a divorce application is approximately $180 as of January 2026. The court accepts payment by cash, debit (in person), cheque, money order, Visa, or MasterCard. Verify the current fee with the registry before filing, as fees may change.
Required forms typically include the Statement of Claim (Family Law – Divorce) using Form 91A, a Financial Statement (Form 94) disclosing income and expenses, and a Child Support Affidavit (Form 98) specifying the requested support amount. The Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) provides free assistance with understanding forms and procedures, located at the Andrew A. Philipsen Law Centre on Second Avenue.
Modifying Existing Child Support Orders
Child support orders remain in effect until formally varied by the court, regardless of changes in circumstances or updates to the Federal Child Support Tables. Either parent may apply to vary an existing order when a material change in circumstances occurs. Such changes include significant income increases or decreases, job loss, disability, the child reaching the age of majority, or a change in parenting arrangements.
The October 2025 table updates may justify variation applications where the new table amount differs substantially from the existing order. However, courts consider whether the variation is warranted based on all circumstances, not merely because table amounts changed. If the paying parent's income has also changed since the original order, courts will apply the new tables to the current income.
Yukon's child support recalculation service can administratively update support amounts when both parents consent and provide current income information. This process avoids formal court applications and associated costs. Contact the Family Law Information Centre for information about eligibility and procedures for administrative recalculation.
Age of Majority and Continuing Support
In Yukon, children are entitled to support until age 19, the age of majority in the territory. However, support obligations may continue beyond age 19 if the child is unable to withdraw from parental care due to illness, disability, or pursuit of education. Post-secondary students commonly receive continued support while enrolled full-time in recognized educational programs.
The Federal Child Support Guidelines require disclosure of post-secondary education costs as Section 7 expenses. Parents typically share these costs in proportion to their incomes, though the child's contribution from employment or scholarships may be considered. Courts examine whether the educational program is reasonable given the child's abilities and the parents' financial circumstances.
When support for one child ends due to age, the support amount for remaining children must be recalculated using the appropriate column of the child support tables. A parent paying for three children does not simply continue paying the same amount when one child reaches independence—the order should be varied to reflect two children at the applicable table amount.
Terminology Under the 2021 Divorce Act
The 2021 amendments to the Divorce Act eliminated the terms "custody" and "access" from Canadian family law vocabulary. Effective March 1, 2021, the legislation uses "parenting orders," "parenting time," and "decision-making responsibility" to describe arrangements for children after separation.
Parenting time refers to periods when a child is in the care of a parent, during which that parent has authority to make day-to-day decisions affecting the child. Decision-making responsibility encompasses major decisions about the child's health, education, culture, religion, and significant extracurricular activities. Parents may share decision-making responsibility or allocate specific responsibilities to one parent.
These terminology changes do not affect how child support is calculated. The tables and formulas remain the same regardless of what the parenting arrangement is called. Child support remains the legal right of the child, not the receiving parent, and is not conditional on the paying parent receiving any particular amount of parenting time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is child support in Yukon for one child?
Child support for one child in Yukon ranges from $299 to over $1,323 monthly, depending entirely on the paying parent's gross annual income. At $60,000 annual income, the 2025 Federal Child Support Table requires $546 per month for one child. At $100,000 income, the amount increases to $921 monthly. These are mandatory amounts with no judicial discretion for standard cases.
What income is used to calculate Yukon child support?
Yukon child support calculations use the paying parent's gross annual income from Line 15000 of their most recent tax return. For employment income, this means total earnings before any deductions for taxes, CPP, EI, or pension contributions. Self-employed parents may have income adjusted for business expenses, and courts can impute income if a parent appears to be underemployed or hiding earnings.
When do child support payments end in Yukon?
Child support in Yukon continues until the child reaches age 19, the territorial age of majority. Support may extend beyond 19 if the child cannot withdraw from parental care due to illness, disability, or full-time enrollment in post-secondary education. Courts examine whether continued support is reasonable given the specific circumstances of the child and parents.
How is shared parenting time calculated for child support?
Shared parenting arrangements exist when each parent has the child at least 40% of the time annually, which equals approximately 146 nights per year. Under shared parenting, courts consider each parent's table amount and set off the lower against the higher. The difference, adjusted for actual expenses and children's needs, determines the final support amount rather than the standard table calculation.
What are Section 7 expenses in Yukon child support?
Section 7 expenses are special or extraordinary costs added to base child support and shared proportionally between parents based on income. These include childcare for employment, health expenses over $100 annually not covered by insurance, extraordinary educational costs, and qualifying extracurricular activities. Regular expenses like meals, basic clothing, and school supplies are already covered by the table amount.
Can Yukon child support be reduced for undue hardship?
Yukon courts may reduce child support below table amounts only when following the standard calculation would cause genuine undue hardship. Qualifying circumstances include unusually high debts from the marriage, exceptional parenting time expenses, or obligations to support other dependents. The hardship claim fails if the claiming household's standard of living exceeds the other household's.
How does the Yukon Maintenance Enforcement Program collect unpaid support?
The Yukon Maintenance Enforcement Program uses multiple enforcement tools including wage garnishment, intercepting tax refunds, credit bureau reporting, license suspension, and property liens. Registration with MEP is free and available whenever one party resides in Yukon. The program works with enforcement agencies across Canada and has international agreements for cross-border collection.
What happens if a parent hides income to avoid Yukon child support?
Yukon courts can impute income to parents who appear to be intentionally unemployed, underemployed, or concealing earnings. The court bases support on what the parent should be earning rather than reported income. Under 2021 Divorce Act amendments, recalculation services can deem income when parents fail to provide financial disclosure, with deemed amounts increasing annually.
How do I file for child support in Yukon?
File a child support application with the Supreme Court of Yukon Registry at 2134 Second Avenue in Whitehorse. Required forms include the Statement of Claim (Form 91A), Financial Statement (Form 94), and Child Support Affidavit (Form 98). The filing fee is approximately $180. At least one parent must have resided in Yukon for 12 months before filing.
Were the Yukon child support tables updated recently?
Yes, the Federal Child Support Tables received their first update since 2017, effective October 1, 2025. The new tables increased the minimum income threshold from $13,000 to $16,000 and adjusted amounts to reflect current tax rules. Existing orders do not automatically change—parents must apply to vary orders if they want updated amounts applied.
Author: Antonio G. Jimenez, Esq. (Florida Bar No. 21022) — Covering Yukon divorce law
Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information about Yukon child support as of January 2026. It does not constitute legal advice for your specific situation. Child support laws and table amounts change periodically. Consult a Yukon family law lawyer for advice tailored to your circumstances.
Sources: Government of Canada Child Support Guidelines, Yukon.ca Child Support Information, Federal Child Support Tables 2025, Yukon Courts