Special and Extraordinary Expenses in BC

What Section 7 Expenses Are - and Why They Get Added to the Table Amount

The basic child support table amount covers everyday costs. But some child-related costs sit outside it. Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines lets the court order an amount to cover all or part of certain expenses, added to the table amount. Lawyers and judges call these section 7 expenses in BC and across Canada, and they are one of the most common sources of friction between separated parents.

SiLaw Group Family Lawyers is a boutique family law and mediation firm in South Surrey. Family law is the only kind of law we practise, and we serve clients in English and Punjabi. This page explains which expenses qualify, how they are shared, and the habits that keep section 7 from becoming a monthly argument. For the wider picture, see our complete child support guide and our child support services.

The Six Categories in Section 7(1)

Section 7(1) lists the expenses a court may provide for:

1. Child care expenses incurred because of the employment, illness, disability, or education or training for employment of the parent the child mainly lives with.
2. Medical and dental insurance premiums, the portion attributable to the child.
3. Health-related expenses that exceed insurance reimbursement by at least $100 annually, including orthodontics, counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, prescription drugs, hearing aids, glasses, and contact lenses.
4. Extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary school or other educational programs that meet the child's particular needs.
5. Expenses for post-secondary education.
6. Extraordinary expenses for extracurricular activities.

Two gates apply to every category. The expense must be necessary in relation to the child's best interests, and it must be reasonable in relation to the means of the parents and the child and to the family's spending pattern before separation. A cost can be real and still fail those tests.

What Makes an Expense "extraordinary"?

For school and extracurricular costs, only extraordinary expenses qualify, and section 7(1.1) defines the term. An expense is extraordinary if it exceeds what the requesting parent can reasonably cover, taking into account that parent's income and the table amount they receive. If that test does not apply, the court decides what is extraordinary by looking at the amount of the expense next to the parent's income, the nature and number of the programs and activities, any special needs and talents of the child, the overall cost of the programs and activities, and any other similar factor the court considers relevant.

In plain terms: routine registration fees for a community league are usually inside the table amount. Elite-level programs with travel, equipment, and coaching bills are the kind of costs that can cross the line. Where the line sits depends on the incomes involved, so the same activity can be extraordinary in one family and not in another.

How Section 7 Expenses Are Shared

Section 7(2) sets the guiding principle: the expense is shared by the parents in proportion to their respective incomes, after deducting any contribution from the child. So if one parent earns twice what the other earns, that parent carries roughly twice the share. Parents can agree to a different split, but proportionate sharing is the default the court starts from.

Two adjustments matter before the split is calculated. Under section 7(3), the court must account for any subsidies, benefits, and income tax deductions or credits relating to the expense. The number that gets shared is the true net cost, not the sticker price. And because the split follows income, both parents' financial disclosure matters here, not just the payor's. Our Form F8 financial statement guide covers what each side has to produce.

Receipts, Updates, and Communication - How This Works in Practice

Most section 7 disputes are not really about the law. They are about surprise, missing receipts, and one parent feeling billed after the fact. A few habits prevent most of them:

• Talk before you spend. For any significant new expense, raise it with the other parent before committing, in writing, with the actual cost.
• Keep every receipt, and share copies on a regular schedule rather than in a year-end pile.
• Net out reimbursements and credits before asking for a share, so the request matches what section 7(3) requires.
• Reconcile on a set rhythm, such as quarterly, so amounts stay small and current.
• Put the mechanics in writing. A separation agreement can define which expenses are covered, the sharing percentages, and how and when payments happen. The Guidelines also contemplate ongoing updates: on written request, a parent must provide current information about the status of expenses included in an order, not more than once a year.

When parents cannot agree on whether a cost qualifies, family mediation is usually faster and cheaper than a court application, and it keeps the decision in the parents' hands. Clear records also protect you if support ever has to be corrected for the past, as our page on retroactive child support explains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Counts as a Section 7 Expense in BC?

The categories are child care related to work, illness, disability, or job training, the child's portion of medical and dental premiums, health-related expenses exceeding insurance reimbursement by at least $100 a year, extraordinary school expenses, post-secondary education, and extraordinary extracurricular expenses. The expense must also be necessary for the child and reasonable given the parents' means.

Are Sports and Activities Always Shared as Section 7 Expenses?

No. Ordinary activity costs are treated as covered by the table amount. Only extraordinary extracurricular expenses qualify, judged under section 7(1.1) against the requesting parent's income, the table amount received, and the nature and overall cost of the activities.

How Are Section 7 Expenses Split Between Parents?

In proportion to each parent's income, after deducting any contribution from the child, and after accounting for subsidies and tax credits. Parents can agree to a different arrangement.

Do I Need the Other Parent's Agreement Before Spending?

The Guidelines let a court decide the question either way, but as a practical matter, agreement in advance avoids most disputes, and courts pay attention to whether an expense was discussed before it was incurred. For major costs, ask first and keep the request in writing.

Talk to a Child Support Lawyer in Surrey for Free

If section 7 expenses are causing conflict, or you want them set up properly from the start, the first 30 minutes with us are free, in English or Punjabi, by phone, video, or in person at Suite 201, 3108 Croydon Drive in South Surrey. Call (778) 381-9977 or Book Now for a Free Consultation.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, speak with a lawyer.