There is no fixed legal limit on Section 7 expenses, but they must be reasonable and necessary
Section 7 expenses, also known as special or extraordinary expenses, have no predetermined monetary cap under Canadian family law. However, these expenses must meet two essential criteria:
- They must be reasonable and necessary for the child’s wellbeing
- They must be proportionate to both parents’ financial means
- They must align with the family’s spending patterns before separation
Courts carefully evaluate each expense request by considering the child’s needs, the family’s lifestyle, and both parents’ ability to contribute. This flexible approach ensures children maintain their standard of living while protecting parents from excessive financial burden.