Toronto Family Responsibility Office

Toronto Family Responsibility Office

Toronto Family Responsibility Office (FRO) and Enforcement of Child Support

The Toronto Family Responsibility Office (FRO)

The FRO is a provincial government agency that oversees child support and spousal support payments in Ontario, Canada. Their primary function is to ensure children receive the financial support they need from their non-custodial parent(s).

Enforcement of Child Support

• Registration: The first step is to register a child support order with the FRO. This can be done if you have a court order for child support or a domestic contract outlining child support provisions.
• Payment Options: The FRO acts as an intermediary for child support payments. Support payers can make payments through various methods, including wage garnishment, credit card, debit card, or online banking.
• Collections and Arrears: If a support payer falls behind on payments, the FRO has the authority to take various enforcement actions, including:
  • Intercepting tax refunds or Employment Insurance benefits.
  • Restricting renewal of driver’s licenses or passports.
  • Reporting defaults to credit bureaus.
• Custody and Access: While child support focuses on financial support, the FRO does not handle child custody or access arrangements. These matters are typically dealt with through the court system.