How to File for Divorce in Yukon Without a Lawyer When You Have Children

Filing for divorce in Yukon without a lawyer is straightforward when you have no children — but when minor children of the marriage are involved, the process adds requirements that trip up most self-represented filers. When applicable, you need to complete the "For the Sake of the Children" workshop under Practice Direction FAMILY-2, file the required child-support financial disclosure using Form 94 and Form 98, and satisfy the judge that your support arrangements have been addressed under the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The judge may require corrections before signing the Divorce Order.

Here's the complete sequence, and where each requirement fits.

The Extra Requirements for Parents

An uncontested Yukon divorce without children follows a clean path: file Form 91A, serve the respondent, wait for the CRDP clearance from Ottawa, submit your affidavits, and wait for the desk-order review. With children, three additional gates insert themselves into that sequence.

Gate 1: Practice Direction FAMILY-2 Workshop

For claims involving decision-making responsibility, parenting time, or child support, both parents must complete the "For the Sake of the Children" workshop when the applicable 30-kilometre condition is met — a free program focused on the impact of separation on children. The plaintiff must complete it within six months of filing, and the defendant within six months of service. Exemptions include living outside the 30-kilometre radius or workshop community, filing a written agreement settling all issues, or having all children be 16 or older.

The workshop is offered periodically in Whitehorse. You'll need the certificate of completion before filing your final affidavit materials. Judges check for this, and missing it means your file gets kicked back.

Gate 2: Financial Disclosure (Form 94 + Form 98)

Form 94 (Financial Statement) requires detailed income, expense, asset, and debt disclosure. Form 98 (Child Support Affidavit) requires you to document your proposed support amounts using the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables for your income level and number of children; the table amount is the starting point.

The judge independently verifies that reasonable child support arrangements exist before granting the divorce. The table amount is the starting point; an agreed amount below it needs an explanation, and the court may order a different amount if your disclosure or proposed arrangement does not support it.

Gate 3: Special and Extraordinary Expenses

If your children have qualifying daycare, medical or dental, extracurricular, educational, or post-secondary expenses, these may be "special and extraordinary expenses" under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines. You must document them in your affidavit and propose a sharing ratio — typically proportional to each parent's income.

The Full Filing Sequence With Children

1. Confirm residency — at least one spouse must have lived in Yukon for 12 continuous months
2. Check the workshop requirement — if FAMILY-2 applies, plan to complete "For the Sake of the Children" within the applicable deadline and keep the certificate
3. Prepare financial disclosure — complete Form 94 and Form 98 with current income documentation
4. File Form 91A (Statement of Claim) at the Whitehorse registry — $140 filing fee + $10 CRDP fee
5. Serve the respondent — in a sole filing, service is by a third party over 18 (not you) when required; the Appearance period is 7 days in Yukon, 21 days elsewhere in Canada, 28 days in the United States, or 42 days elsewhere internationally, not counting the day of service, followed by 14 days for a Statement of Defence
6. Wait for CRDP clearance — the registry sends your filing to Ottawa's Central Registry; no judge can sign the final Divorce Order until the clearance certificate returns
7. File affidavits — Form 97 (Affidavit for Divorce Order) plus your financial forms and workshop certificate
8. Desk-order review — a judge reviews your complete file; if everything is in order, they sign the Divorce Order without a hearing
9. 31-day appeal period — mandatory wait before you can apply for the Certificate of Divorce using Form 101

The Yukon Divorce Filing Process Guide walks through each step with worksheets specifically for parents — including the child support compliance worksheet with Guidelines table inputs and the special expense tracking section.

Common Mistakes Parents Make

Filing before the workshop. You can file Form 91A before completing the workshop, but you cannot get a Divorce Order signed without the certificate. Filing first and attending later is fine — but many filers don't realize the workshop is mandatory until the judge rejects their package.

Using last year's income. The Financial Statement must reflect current income. Judges look at recent pay stubs and tax returns — using outdated numbers triggers a rejection or a request for updated disclosure.

Forgetting Section 7 expenses. If your child has qualifying special or extraordinary expenses (daycare, braces, hockey fees), you must document them. Omitting Section 7 expenses doesn't mean you avoid paying them — it means the judge sends your file back for proper disclosure.

Not specifying the parenting schedule. Your affidavit must describe the actual parenting arrangement — who the children live with, how time is divided, and how decisions about health, education, and religion are made. Vague statements like "shared parenting" are insufficient.

Who This Process Works For

• Parents who agree on custody, parenting time, and child support amounts
• Couples who have already completed mediation and have a signed Separation Agreement
• Filers with employment income that's straightforward to document (T4, pay stubs)

Who Should Hire a Lawyer Instead

• Parents who cannot agree on a parenting plan — contested custody requires court hearings
• Cases where one parent is self-employed or suspected of underreporting income
• Situations involving relocation disputes or international custody considerations
• Any case with family violence concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the "For the Sake of the Children" workshop?

Only if you live outside the applicable 30-kilometre radius or workshop community, have filed a written agreement settling all issues, or all children are 16 or older. Otherwise, both parents must complete it.

What if my spouse and I agree on child support — do I still need Form 94?

Yes, when child support is claimed. Even when both spouses agree, the judge independently verifies the arrangement under the Federal Guidelines. Form 94 is required when child support, spousal support, or property division is claimed; Form 98 is mandatory for minor children of the marriage.

How do I calculate the correct child support amount?

The Federal Child Support Guidelines tables use annual gross income at CRA Line 15000, alongside applicable adjustments, and the number of children. The table amount is the starting point. The Department of Justice Canada publishes lookup tables online. Your province or territory of residence determines which table applies.

What happens if the judge rejects my child support numbers?

The judge will return your file with a request for revised financial disclosure or an explanation of why your proposed amount deviates from the Guidelines tables. You correct the forms and resubmit, which adds weeks or months to your timeline.

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