Does 50/50 custody mean no CS?

[Anna]

My priority is my kids, I don't want to cause a battle. Fortunately my ex and I still get along quite well, but now we are talking money, which could change everything. We agreed on 50/50 parenting (joint custody, shared parenting). He earns about $30,000/ yr more than I do, and has much more in RRSP's. Would I still be entitled to receive CS?
This forum is invaluable.

[HammerDad]

You should be entitled to some c/s.

In Shared Custody scenarios, the courts would use the offset method for determining c/s.

So, lets say your ex makes $75k per year and you make $45k and you have 3 kids. That means, if he were to pay full c/s to you, he'd pay $1,432. If also means, if you were to pay full c/s to him, you'd pay $881. To determine the offset amount to be paid, you subtract the $881 from $1432, leaving $551 which he would have to pay to you....that is roughly how it works. Others here are better at determining this though.

Regarding section 7 expenses (extra-ordinary expenses related to the kids like braces, expensive medical treatments, expensive sports etc....not the $50 school field trip or the $80 swimming lessons) would be paid proportionally to income.

[winterwolf7]

HammerDad's method is called "Offset" child support.

You check the child support guidelines and see what you each pay the other, and then pay the difference instead.

I'm a bigger fan of "half-offset" which mathematically works out so that each person really contributes half of the total amount of child support. It's used occasionally, and I hope it catches on more.

In HammerDad's scenario, it would mean he pays you half of the offset, or $275.

Here's why it's fair:

Your table amount = 881
His table amount = 1432

Together the child support for the family is 1432 + 811 = 2313.

You are each responsible for half of this, or 1156.

So he pays you 1432 - 1156 = 275 and you supply the other 811 from your own money for the kids.

It makes for very "light" support but sometimes it's enough to force people fighting over money to settle.

Edit: It's not been used by the courts, except in interim support orders last I heard. But it's based on the child support guidelines which appeals, and it assumes each parent has equal financial responsibility which also has appeal.