How Child Support Calculator for Northwest Territories works

Support Calculator for Northwest Territories

The easiest way to get an estimate of child support payments is the child support calculator for the Northwest Territories. You need to enter the information of income, number of children, and care percentage this tool will give you the result. However, this calculator will determine the payments for only the sole custody situation. So read the complete guide to get an idea of how to use the calculator. 

Guidelines for using the Northwest Territories child support  calculator

Follow the given steps to use the calculator accurately. These guidelines will help you to prevent any error in the calculation.

Step 1. Financial Information

  • Enter the annual income of the payor based on their employment status.
  • If either of the parents has a business then enter the income before taxes and deductions.

Click ” Next”

Step 2. Number of Children

  • Enter the number of children that will be involved in child support action. 
  • Mention children you have legal responsibility.

Click ” Next”

Step 3. Choose Custody Arrangements

  • Enter the custody arrangements which means the time parents give to the children. 
  • It can be sole, split, or shared custody.

Click “submit “

Step 4. Review the Estimate

  • The estimate will be provided in no time based on the information you have submitted.

Factors That lead to adjustment in Child Support Payments

  1. Change in income 

In the future, if any of the parents face a significant change in their income they can recalculate the child support payments.

  1. Change in care arrangements

If parents decide to change their arrangements then the payments can be adjusted according to the situation.

  1. New family obligations

If any of the parents have children from another relationship the payments can be adjusted.

Misunderstandings About Child Support Calculator

There are certain misconceptions about child support calculator that parents need to clear.

  1. The Calculator Provides a Final Amount

The most common misconception about this tool is it gives the final decision. But the truth is it gives only the estimated amount. 

  1. Child Support Ends Automatically at 18

Most think that child support ends automatically at 18 but in special cases like if the child suffering from some kind of disability or is still dependent then the parents will continue to pay.

Maintenance Enforcement Program for Northwest Territories

The maintenance Enforcement Program in the northwest territories is responsible for the enforcement of legal orders and collecting child support payments. You can get yourself enrolled in the program by following the given steps.

  1. Enrollment
  • Once you have the court legal order that clearly mentions your payment responsibilities, you can apply for the MEP.
  • Submit the court order along with the registration form to the MEP office. After submitting, the process approximately takes four weeks.
  • If the payments are already being paid you can still apply for this to keep track of the payments.
  • Once the enrollment is done you can check the status of payments through the online support payment tracker.
  1. Payment
  • After the enrollment, the payor gives all the payments to the MEP instead of the receiver. The program keeps a record of the payments.
  • The payments can be submitted in any way such as a cheque, money order, through online banking, debit card, credit card, cash, pre-authorized VISA, or pre-authorized debit. 
  • After keeping their record the MEP sends them to the creditor. Both the parents can check the status online.
  1. Enforcement
  • If the payor fails to pay the amounts, then MEP will take action.
  • The actions will depend on the debtor’s payment history, and financial situation and include
    • Stoppage of federal payments such as employment insurance.
    • Ceasing of bank accounts.
    • Withholding the payor’s valid licenses and passport.
    • Suspension of the payor driver’s license;
    • taking the debtor to court
    • Sentence the debtor to up to 90 days in jail.

Simplified Federal Child Support Tables 2024

The main of the child support table is to help the parents estimate the payments according to the number of children. The child support table was updated on November 22, 2017. It classified into two table 

  • One is for estimating the amount for 1 to 4 children.

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/child-enfant/fcsg-lfpae/2006/tbl1_4/nwt_b-tno_b.pdf

  • The other shows payments for 5 or more children.

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/child-enfant/fcsg-lfpae/2006/tbl5/nu56_4.pdf

Frequently Asked Quaetions:-

Q-  What is 50- 50 child custody?

It is also known as shared custody which means that both parents spend equal time with the parents.

Q- What are the benefits of the Northwest Territories child support calculator?

  • The parents can calculate the care percentage.
  •  Easily access the tool online and can estimate the amount.
  • The calculator can be used several times to recalculate the payments.

Q- Child support payments are based on which factors?

The payments are based on the annual income of the parents, the number of children, and care arrangements.

Final Verdict:-

The child support calculator for  Northwest Territories works as a reliable source to estimate the child support payments that parents have to pay following the separation. Enter the annual income, number of children, and care percentage the tool will determine the result. But keep in mind it only gives the estimate of the monthly payments.it is advisable to consult with legal authorities for final decision.