How Child Support Works with Parenting Time in Yukon

Your parenting schedule doesn't just determine where your child sleeps — it directly controls how much child support changes hands. The line between paying the full guideline amount and splitting costs under a set-off formula sits at exactly 40% of parenting time, and getting the math wrong can cost thousands per year.

The 40% Threshold

Under the federal Child Support Guidelines (which apply in the Yukon), the critical question is whether each parent has the child for at least 40% of the time.

Below 40%: The minority-time parent pays the full baseline table amount based on their gross annual income and the number of children. No offset, no adjustment for the other parent's income.

At or above 40%: The arrangement is classified as "shared custody." Support is calculated using a set-off formula — both parents' table amounts are calculated, and the higher-earning parent pays the difference between the two amounts. This typically results in a significantly lower monthly payment than the full table amount.

The 40% line translates to roughly 146 overnights per year. A standard alternating-week schedule (7-7) gives each parent approximately 50%. A primary-residence arrangement with every-other-weekend plus midweek dinners might land at 30-35% — below the threshold.

How the Set-Off Calculation Works

When parenting time meets or exceeds 40% for both parents, the court calculates each parent's table amount based on their income, then subtracts:

The parent earning CA$80,000 with two children might have a table amount of CA$1,162/month. The parent earning CA$50,000 might have a table amount of CA$764/month. The set-off: CA$1,162 – CA$764 = CA$398/month paid by the higher earner.

This standard set-off can be adjusted based on actual household expenses, the child's needs, and each family's financial circumstances. Judges have discretion to modify the formula result if it produces an unfair outcome.

Section 7: Special and Extraordinary Expenses

Beyond monthly table support, parents share "special or extraordinary expenses" proportional to their respective incomes. These are costs not covered by the baseline support amount:

• Childcare expenses incurred due to employment, illness, or education
• Health and dental costs exceeding CA$100 annually per child (after insurance reimbursement)
• Educational expenses for primary, secondary, or post-secondary programs beyond what public schooling provides
• Extracurricular activities — particularly competitive sports, advanced training, or specialized programs

To claim these expenses, you complete Part 2 of Form 94 or Form 94A, providing receipts and calculating the net annual cost after subtracting tax credits, subsidies, and health plan reimbursements.

The sharing formula is income-proportional. If Parent A earns 60% of combined income and Parent B earns 40%, Parent A covers 60% of approved Section 7 expenses.

Required Financial Disclosure

Any parent claiming or defending child support must complete financial disclosure under Rule 63A within 30 days of serving their pleadings. The required documents include:

• Personal income tax returns for the three most recent taxation years
• Notices of assessment or reassessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for three years
• Current statement of earnings (pay stub) showing year-to-date totals, or an employer letter confirming annual salary
• For self-employed parents: complete business financial statements and a breakdown of all related-party transactions
• For trust beneficiaries: the trust settlement agreement and three years of financial statements

Failure to disclose gives the court grounds to make adverse income inferences — meaning the judge can impute a higher income than what you actually earn, resulting in larger support obligations.

Tracking Overnights

Because the 40% threshold determines the entire support calculation method, tracking actual overnights is essential — not estimated time, not "about half." Many parents keep a shared calendar or use a co-parenting app that logs each overnight automatically.

If your parenting time is near the 40% boundary (say 38-42%), document every overnight carefully. A schedule that looks like shared custody on paper but produces only 138 overnights instead of 146 puts you below the threshold.

The Yukon Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes an overnight tracking worksheet and child support calculation workbook — helping you understand exactly where your schedule falls relative to the 40% threshold and what your financial obligations look like under each scenario.

See more Yukon guides →