Information on Ending Support Payments

How will I know when support payments end?

The court order or domestic contact may say when support responsibilities end. If they do not provide a calendar date for the end of support payments, the support payor and support recipient must agree when support ends. If the payor and recipient do not agree that support should end, they may have to go to court and have a judge decide.

The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) cannot change the terms in your support order. Firthermore, the laws in Ontario do not provide for an automatic end to support payments for children or spouses. (e.g., when a child turns 18).

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When can the FRO stop enforcement of my order and how will I know support has ended?

When we receive information from a support payor that support should end, a letter is sent to the recipient for confirmation. If the recipient denies that support has ended, we will continue to enforce the support order. If the recipient does not respond to our request, we can stop enforcement of support payments.

We may also stop enforcement when the recipient agrees in writing. When that occurs, we notify the payor that they no longer have to pay that level of support.

We will continue to collect support for other dependents on the court order, as well as any arrears for the person whose support has ended.

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What is a terminating event?

Keep the FRO informed. If you have a court order that ends support, send a copy of it to the FRO.

Some court orders or domestic contracts set out specific "terminating events," that end support payments. A terminating event could be the child leaving school or working full time. A terminating event ending spousal support could be remarriage. Both support payor and support recipient must agree that a terminating event has occurred for us to end support payments without a court order.

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What if I think a terminating event has happened?

If you believe that a terminating event has occurred, you need to contact us. Both the payor and recipient must agree. At least one person must notify the FRO immediately so that we can review your file and begin the appropriate action.

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What happenes if my support order has been assigned to a social services agency like Ontario Works?

If your support order has been assigned to a social services agency (e.g., Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program) the agency must also consent to the withdrawal from the FRO. Even if the payor and recipient agree that support has ended, we cannot end enforcement without the agency's consent. If the agency does not consent, the payor and the recipient must go to court to have the order changed.

To obtain consent from a social services agency to withdraw from the FRO, or to change the terms of your support order, a copy of the court order and any supporting court documents should be sent to the agency.

Confirmation of Assignment Unit Box 1997 Toronto, Ontario M7A 1E9

To determine if a social service agency has been assigned to your support order, a Confirmation of Assignment Form (#006-3006 available at www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca) must be completed and sent to the Confirmation Assignment Unit.

If the order is assigned to an agency, instructions will be given on where to send a copy of the court order and supporting court documents.

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Where can I get help?

If the support recipient and support payor do not agree that support has ended, you can seek legal advice by contacting the Legal Referral Service for a half-hour free consultation.

If the support recipient and support payor do not agree that support should end, they should seek legal advice by contacting the Lawyer Referral Service, operated by the Law Society of Upper Canada, for a half-hour consultation. The half-hour legal consultation is free, however there is a $6.00 charge for the phone call. In Ontario call 1-900-565-4577.

You can contact Legal Aid Ontario at 416-979-1446 or toll-free at 1-800-668-8258. You can also get information from Family Law Information Centres located in provincial courts across Ontario. Ontario Family Courts Forms are available from www.ontariocourts.on.ca.

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Where can I get more information?

TTY: 1-866-545-0083

24-Hour Automated Information Line: 416-326-1818 or toll-free at 1-800-267-7263
for general information about the FRO and recent transactions on your case.

Customer Service Unit: 416-326-1817 or toll-free at 1-800-267-4330
for general inquiries such as payment information, to update your address or to request forms. Call Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enforcement Call Centre: 416-326-1817 or toll-free at 1-800-267-4330
for specific enforcement information. Call Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.