How to Enforce a Separation Agreement for Child Support in Ontario

If your separation agreement says that your partner must pay child support but they are not following it, you still have legal options to enforce the agreement.

1. Check Your Separation Agreement

First, confirm that your separation agreement clearly states:

• The amount of child support
• The payment schedule (weekly, monthly, etc.)
• The start date of payments
• Any special terms related to child support

A clear agreement is important for enforcement.

2. Try to Communicate First

Sometimes missed payments are due to misunderstanding or temporary issues. You may choose to contact your former partner in writing to request payment and keep a record of communication.

3. File the Agreement with the Court (if not already filed)

In Ontario, a separation agreement on its own is not automatically enforced by the court unless it is properly filed or incorporated into a court order.

If needed, the agreement can be filed with the court to support enforcement.

4. Enforce Through the Family Responsibility Office (FRO)

If your agreement is filed or converted into a court order, you can register it with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO).

FRO has the authority to enforce child support payments by:

• Garnishing wages
• Suspending driver’s licences
• Intercepting tax refunds
• Taking enforcement action through employers or banks

How We Can Help

We assist clients with:

• Filing documents with the court
• Registering support orders with FRO

For Consultation Call: +1 519-971-8219