Child Maintenance Guidelines Proclaimed
Nova Scotians now have guidelines to assist in calculating appropriate levels of child support, Justice Minister Jim Smith announced today.
Legislative amendments to the Family Maintenance Act, effective today, will ensure there is consistency in child support matters.
The guidelines, based on the average cost of raising a child, provide a fair and objective standard in determining levels of child support. They give priority to child support over other financial obligations and ensure that children benefit from the financial means of both parents.
"The proclamation of this legislation means that we are moving toward an equality in the treatment of children in family court matters," said Dr. Smith. "In making the calculation of child support more objective, we hope the amount of tension and conflict can be reduced during what is a stressful time for families. It's really about putting children first."
The objectives in implementing the guidelines are to establish a fair and consistent standard of support for children, to reduce conflict, and to improve the efficiency of the court process by encouraging settlement. The development of the guidelines was the result of five years of in-depth research conducted by the federal/provincial/territorial Family Law Committee.
Provincial family court will now require payers to provide the same information required under the federal child support guidelines, which became effective May 1, 1997. In providing the necessary information to the courts earlier, the efficiency of the process should be improved.
The proclamation of the guidelines helps to streamline the area of family law, which will be further advanced with the adoption of a Family Division of the Supreme Court. When established, the court will promote family mediation. The objective is to resolve family matters in a more conciliatory and less adversarial manner. Resources will also be provided for counselling services, particularly in the area of post-separation parenting.
Assessment services for the courts will be increased to assist in making decisions regarding custody and access. Conflict-management programs will be in place to help reduce the difficulties associated with exercising custody and access. The Family Division is expected to open in April 1999.
Copies of the Child Maintenance Guidelines are available at family courts. Anyone with questions can call toll-free 1-800-665-9779, or 902-455-3135 in the Halifax area.