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VICTORIA – Separated parents will be better able to manage the financial demands of raising children through a new pilot program launched this month in Kelowna, Attorney General Wally Oppal announced today.
“Every parent knows that raising children requires years of dedication and care, no matter whether the family’s income level rises or falls while they are growing up,” said Oppal. “This innovative Child Support Recalculation Service will, for the first time, allow many child support payments to be automatically changed to reflect changes in a payor’s income on an annual basis without having to return to court.”
The program involves parents who pay child support following separation or divorce. They are asked to provide updated financial information, such as income tax returns, which is then used to recalculate and update the child support amount. There is no charge for the recalculation.
Payor parents whose income has changed will have their support amount adjusted, based on an increase or decrease in income, to more accurately reflect their current ability to pay. However, if financial information requested is not provided, maintenance will be recalculated based on an assumed 10 per cent increase in the payor’s income.
“Kelowna families will be the first in the province to benefit from this progressive program designed to stabilize relationships between separated parents and their children,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning. “Too often, changes in a payor’s income level result in a permanent breakdown of relationships that negatively affects the whole family.”
“This is a positive step in supporting children and providing families with a practical means to resolve financial issues surrounding separation and divorce without involving an onerous and sometimes adversarial court process,” said Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe.
“This new approach has strong support from the Office of the Chief Judge because it is better for families,” said Kelowna-Mission MLA Sindi Hawkins. “In addition, it frees court time to focus on matters that need the full support of the court system”
The pilot program applies to provincial court support orders issued on or after June 1, 2006 in Kelowna. Some exemptions under the Family Relations Act may apply. Staff from the Family Justice Services Division of the Ministry of Attorney General will contact parents to inform them of their obligations and timeframes for an annual review of income and support payments.
The pilot project will be extended to Vancouver and Surrey. Following evaluation of all three sites, it may be extended to other areas of the province.
For more information about other family justice programs, please visit www.gov.bc.ca/ag
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Communications Director 250 387-4965 250 889-1121 (cell) |
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