Section 7 'special and extraordinary' expenses are add-ons to base child support. Here's exactly what qualifies and how costs are split in BC.
Most parents know that child support in BC is set according to the Federal Child Support Guidelines based on the paying parent's income. What many parents don't realize is that child support tables cover only the basics — the food, shelter, and day-to-day costs of raising a child. On top of base support, BC law requires parents to share certain "special or extraordinary expenses" under section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines. These are commonly called "section 7 expenses" or "s7 expenses."
What Are Section 7 Expenses?
Section 7 expenses are additional, typically larger or unpredictable costs that are not covered by the monthly child support amount. They include:
1. Childcare expenses — daycare, after-school care, or babysitting costs incurred because the custodial parent works, attends school, or is ill or disabled
2. Medical and dental insurance premiums — the portion of a parent's insurance premium attributable to the child
3. Health-related expenses — uninsured medical, dental, vision, orthodontic, and psychological expenses exceeding
4. Post-secondary education costs — tuition, textbooks, and reasonable living expenses for a child attending university or college
5. Extraordinary extracurricular activities — sports, arts, music, or other activities that are either extraordinary in amount or have special educational value given the child's needs
6. Special needs expenses — expenses for a child's disability or special educational needs
The Two Tests for Qualifying Expenses
Not every expense qualifies. Under the Guidelines, an expense must be either:
- Necessary: the expense is required to meet the child's needs given the educational, medical, or developmental circumstances, and it is reasonable in light of both parents' means and spending patterns; or
- Extraordinary: the expense significantly exceeds what a reasonable parent in similar circumstances would spend, or the expense has particular value in light of the child's specific abilities or needs
For extracurricular activities specifically, courts have developed additional guidance: a single sport at a typical community level usually does not qualify as "extraordinary." However, elite competitive sports, activities requiring intensive private coaching, or activities directly tied to a child's identified learning need or exceptional talent may qualify.
How Costs Are Split — Not 50/50
A common misunderstanding is that section 7 expenses are split evenly. In fact, they are split proportionally to each parent's income. If one parent earns $80,000 and the other earns $40,000, the first parent pays two-thirds and the second pays one-third of qualifying section 7 expenses.
The calculation uses the parents' Guidelines income — the same figure used to calculate base child support from the tables. The result is that the higher-income parent pays a larger share of s7 expenses, even if the child lives primarily with the lower-income parent.
How to Claim Unpaid Section 7 Expenses
If your co-parent is not paying their share of section 7 expenses, your options include:
1. Negotiation: send a written request with receipts and documentation
2. Mediation: a family mediator can help resolve the dispute without court
3. Court application: file a Notice of Application and supporting financial material; you will need to prove the expense qualifies and provide receipts
Courts expect both parents to have agreed in advance on significant section 7 expenses wherever possible. Springing a large extracurricular enrolment on the other parent after the fact and then demanding they pay half is unlikely to succeed if they had no opportunity to weigh in.
Documentation Tips
Keep receipts for every qualifying expense. If you pay in cash, get a receipt. Where insurance covers part of a medical expense, keep the explanation of benefits showing the net amount. For childcare, keep your receipts and, if claiming for tax purposes, your RC62 form.
Both parents have a right to receive documentation for s7 expenses they are being asked to contribute to — provide it proactively rather than after conflict develops.
When Section 7 Expenses Are Included in a Separation Agreement
Many BC separation agreements include a section 7 clause listing specifically which categories of expenses will be shared, how they will be calculated and documented, and how disputes will be handled. A well-drafted agreement reduces the chance of later conflict significantly.
*This article is general information about BC child support law. It is not legal advice. Consult a BC family lawyer or contact Sea to Sky Law™ for advice specific to your situation.*
It depends. Recreational community hockey likely does not qualify as 'extraordinary.' However, elite hockey requiring travel, specialized coaching, or expensive equipment at levels significantly above average may qualify — particularly if both parents agreed to enroll the child at that level.
Section 7 obligations exist under the Federal Child Support Guidelines regardless of whether there is a court order. However, enforcing them without an order requires applying to court or reaching a written agreement.
Ideally, both parents agree. If they cannot, a family law lawyer, mediator, or the court can determine whether the expense meets the Guidelines criteria. Being proactive — discussing large expenses before committing to them — prevents most disputes.
Section 7 expenses include both 'necessary' expenses (childcare, medical insurance) and 'extraordinary' ones (exceptional extracurriculars, special needs). Not all section 7 expenses have to meet the 'extraordinary' threshold — only the extracurricular category requires that additional test.