Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 24 APRIL 2020

Child Support, Spousal Support, And COVID-19

Lindsay Kenney LLP
Explore more from Lindsay Kenney LLP

The global economy has taken a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada has not been immune to the financial effects of the cr

CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Fanda Wu
Fanda Wu

The global economy has taken a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada has not been immune to the financial effects of the crisis. Businesses across the country are closing their doors, staff are being laid off in record numbers, and the stock market has plunged.  In this bleak economic landscape, many Canadians may find themselves unable to meet their support obligations and in many cases, even their own basic living expenses and debt obligations.

One question that now comes up with increasing frequency is whether support payors are permitted to reduce support payments considering that their income has dropped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The answer to this question depends on the nature of the document (or lack thereof) which sets out the payor's support obligations. Typically, support obligations will be set out in one of three ways:

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

About Mackrell International – Canada - Lindsay Kenney LLP is a full service business law firm with offices in Vancouver and Langley, BC and a member of Mackrell International. Mackrell International – Canada is comprised of four independent law firms in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Each firm is regionally based and well-connected in our communities, an advantage shared with our clients. With close relations amongst our Canadian member firms, we are committed to working with clients who have legal needs in multiple jurisdictions within Canada.

This article is intended to be an overview and is for informational purposes only.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Before December 31: A Cross-Border Estate Planning Check-Up For Canadian Families

Canadian families with U.S. connections face unique estate planning challenges that require regular review. This comprehensive guide examines eight critical areas—from wills and powers of attorney to cross-border trusts and reporting obligations—that warrant attention before year-end, particularly when family circumstances, asset values, or residency status have changed.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Canada-US Estate Planning: A Complete Guide For Snowbirds And Cross-Border Families

Canadians who own US property, hold American investments, or have family members with US citizenship face a complex web of estate tax obligations spanning two countries. Without proper coordination, your heirs could face double taxation, frozen assets during lengthy Florida probate proceedings, or unexpected tax bills that consume a significant portion of their inheritance.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Ontario Probate: A Step-by-Step Guide For Executors (Including Estates With US Property)

Ontario probate requires court certification, estate administration tax of up to 1.5%, and careful navigation of cross-border rules when US property is involved. Executors face strict timelines, fiduciary duties, and potential personal liability, while proper planning through multiple wills and beneficiary designations can significantly reduce both costs and delays.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Estate Freeze Alert: Ontario Court Of Appeal Rules Trust Interest Is Not A Gift After Marriage

A family trust settled by a parent after a child’s marriage would normally be considered a “gift after marriage,” excluded from equalization under Ontario’s Family Law Act. In Lang-Newlands v. Newlands, 2026 ONCA 530 [Lang-Newlands], the Ontario Court of Appeal (the “Court”) held otherwise. The Court found that because the trust’s value derived entirely from shares the beneficiary already owned at the date of marriage, her interest in the trust was not a gift, and she now faces a substantial equalization payment.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

Canadian Citizenship By Descent: Canada Expands Eligibility Under Bill C-3

Many people may be surprised and pleased to learn that there is a new path to becoming a Canadian citizen. The Government of Canada passed Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), on December 15, 2025. Before this legislation came into effect, Canadian citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside Canada. For example, Emily was born or naturalized in Canada, and she could pass her citizenship to her child, Duncan, born outside of Canada.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
O'Sullivan Estate Lawyers LLP
O'Sullivan Estate Lawyers LLP
Article

The Supreme Court Of Canada Recognizes A New Tort Of Intimate Partner Violence

The Supreme Court of Canada has established a groundbreaking new common law tort of Intimate Partner Violence, fundamentally changing how survivors can seek civil remedies for coercive and controlling behavior in intimate relationships. This landmark decision introduces a legal framework that recognizes patterns of abuse beyond traditional assault claims, focusing on the cumulative nature of coercive control that strips victims of their dignity, autonomy and equality. Courts across Canada are now beginning
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
Article

How Ahluwalia And Mitchell Have Shaped The Tort Of Intimate Partner Violence

In Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia, 2026 SCC 16 (“Ahluwalia”), the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) addressed whether Canadian tort law should recognize intimate partner violence as a distinct wrong. The Honourable Justice Kasirer, writing for the majority, recognized the tort of intimate partner violence (“IPV”), concluding that existing torts did not sufficiently address the harms to dignity, autonomy, and equality caused by intimate partner violence.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Devry Smith Frank LLP
Devry Smith Frank LLP