How is spousal support enforced in Ontario if my ex stops paying?
In Ontario, all spousal support orders made by a court are automatically filed with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) unless both parties opt out. The FRO is a provincial agency that monitors, collects, and enforces support payments.
If your ex-spouse stops paying, the FRO has a range of enforcement tools available: it can garnish wages and bank accounts, suspend a driver's licence, restrict passport renewal, register a lien on property, and take the matter to court for contempt proceedings. You do not need to hire a lawyer to trigger FRO enforcement — you can contact them directly.
If you have a separation agreement and not a court order, it must first be filed with the court to be enforceable through the FRO. Support set out only in a private agreement, without a court order, cannot be directly enforced through this office. If your ex is repeatedly missing payments, documenting the arrears carefully and staying in contact with the FRO is your best first step. For persistent or complex enforcement issues, getting legal assistance can help.
Key takeaways
- Court support orders are automatically enforced by the Family Responsibility Office (FRO).
- The FRO can garnish wages, suspend licences, and register liens on property.
- Separation agreements must be filed as court orders before the FRO can enforce them.
- Contact the FRO directly if payments stop — you do not need a lawyer to start enforcement.