Child Support Enforcement

Legislation in effect since 1997 in the province of Ontario gives more teeth to enforcement of child support orders. Some of the measures are:

• Suspend driver’s licenses through administrative notification to the Ministry of Transportation (albeit upon notice to the payor)
• Suspend motor vehicle registration
• Report name of payor to credit bureau
• Seize lottery winnings of more than $1,000.00
• Provide for registration of support orders under the Personal Property Security Act
• Obtain financial statements of defaulters
• Make support orders against third parties who shelter the defaulter’s assets
• Seize 50% of any funds in a joint bank account with the defaulter’s new partner

Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 31