Suppose your relationship has ended in separation and, since you’re the custodial parent of the children, the court ordered your former spouse to pay you child support. But then he or she decides not to pay you a penny. What do you do? Knock on your ex’s door and ask for money every month?
In Ontario there is a public office set up specifically to enforce court-ordered spousal and child support payments. This office is called the Family Responsibility Office, commonly referred to as “the FRO.” The FRO acts as an intermediary between the payors and the recipients of support payments. All support payments are remitted to the FRO and the FRO then transfers the payments to the proper recipients.
Under the law, the FRO has wide-sweeping authority to enforce support payments, including the following:
- collect funds from federal sources (such as income tax refunds and employment insurance benefits);
- report the payor to the credit bureau;
- seize the payor’s bank account or assets;
- seize lottery winnings;
- suspend the payor’s passport and other federal licences;
- suspend the payor’s driver’s licence; and
- take the payor to court on a default hearing, which may result in jail time.
Besides all of the above, the FRO has recently started a campaign called “Good Parents Pay.” This campaign publishes the personal information (including photographs) of default payors online so they can be tracked down. So far the campaign has been very effective and the FRO has recovered support payments as a result.
For more information, you can visit the FRO online or use one of the following phone numbers:
24-Hour Automated Information Line
Tel: 416-326-1818
Toll-free: 1-800-267-7263
For general information about the Family Responsibility Office and recent transactions on your case.
Customer Service Unit
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Tel: 416-243-1909
Toll-free: 1-888-815-2757
For general inquiries such as payment information, to update your address or to request forms.
