Every parent is liable for their child’s upbringing until they become self-dependent. However, with the separation of every parent, we see that there occurs a certain tension and disputes regarding child support.
It thus eventually leads to the question, when does child support end in Canada?
Well, the answer to this question basically depends on your case.
Generally, by law, a parent is held responsible for taking care of all the needs of every child until they turn 18, with some exceptions. Such as if your child is disabled, continuing his/her studies, suffering from any severe long-term disease, etc.
Want to know in detail? Keep reading with patience to clarify all your doubts:
What is Child Support?
Child support is the financial support that the non-custodial parents pay to the custodial parents for taking care of all the needs of a child. Generally, this support is fixed by the court based on the requirement of the child.
However, if the parents are in good relationships and mutually agree, they can also fix the child support. And then get the agreement signed with the help of a child support lawyer.
This support is entirely for the welfare of the child. As a result, it must be paid regularly in time without any complaints.
Canadian law is also extremely strict regarding this matter. Therefore, if anyone doesn’t want to pay or irregularly pay it, there are severe punishments for these acts.
What Does Child Support Cover in Canada?
Taking care of all the financial needs in both the legal and moral responsibility of every parent. Just because you and your spouse have problems living together doesn’t mean it should affect the child in any way.
After all, they have no hands in your divorce. They deserve the love of both their parents and as a parent, you must try to give them the mental and financial support they need.
Now the question may arise what kind of things does child support cover?
To simply state, anything needed by a child while growing up till s/he attains the age of maturity falls under child support.
Check out the below checklist that every child support covers in Canada to generate an overall idea:
- Living expenses, such as house rentals, utility bills, etc.
- Food and clothing
- Educational expenditures—school payments, books, stationary, tutors fees, etc
- Medical fees
- Pocket money
- Transportation costs
Note:
It is a general estimation of the common things and may consist of many more essential things depending on the child’s needs.
When Does Child Support End in Canada?
As mentioned above, child support usually stops automatically when the child turns 18, the age of maturity, except in some cases. Several factors aid in the entire termination process of child support payments and may extend depending on these factors.
Let’s find out about the leading 2 special cases in detail so you can relate to your one:
1. Child Disability
If your child is physically, mentally or in both ways challenged, then in these cases, based on their dependency paying child support is mandatory.
After all, they cannot take care of their own responsibilities all by themselves, regardless of their age. And as a parent, it is our first and foremost duty to take care of their needs and give them all the extra care and maintenance they need to live a normal and happy life.
2. Education
As a parent, it is our duty to take care of all the needs of our children and provide them with all the essentials to help them grow as independent adults.
Such as, your child is enrolled in a full-time institutional program where you need to pay some extra fees—tutor’s charges, dorm fees, books, and so on. In such cases, it is your legal duty as a parent to pay the child supports on time even if the child’s age cross 18.
Do I Have to Pay Child Support?
Obviously, you have to pay child support within time. However, there are some exceptions where you can avoid paying child support by law. But all that reasons must be valid enough to prove that you are not eligible enough to pay this child support.
Such as, you are financially not well-off, may have lost your job, living a homeless life, etc.; in that state, it is normal that you cannot pay child support.
Another reason paying child support is not mandatory is if you are both physically and mentally not fit enough to earn.
Apart from these 2 scenarios, you must pay child support without showing any sort of negligence. Otherwise, be ready to get punished for not paying child support without any legitimate reasons.
Read Also: How to Apply for Child Support?
How to Stop Child Support Payments When Child Turns 18?
Generally, child support payments stop when the child turns 18 by law, except for some special cases. It doesn’t matter whether they stay together under the same roof or not.
However, to stop your child support payments legally, you must sign a contract under the guidance of an expert lawyer.
Once you appeal, the court will issue a command stating the termination for all the child support payments. After the court sanctions it, the FRO (Family Responsibility Office) will be notified about it for conducting further processing.
In most cases, the termination date of child support is included in the divorce agreement. And with that date, all the financial liabilities come to an end.
Nevertheless, there is no ending date between the bond of a parent with their child. It is a lifetime bond; hence if any parents want to take care of their child, then no law can stop them from doing this.
Closing Notes
Child support is the legal right of every child, and no parents should deny or neglect it except for some valid reasons. Therefore, instead of thinking of child support as a burden, think of the betterment of your child’s welfare.
Hopefully, this article has cleared all your concerns regarding when does child support ends in Canada. Yet, if you have any further queries, then the smarter call is to consult with an experienced lawyer to understand the entire process of child support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many parents tend to have a lot of confusion regarding the child support termination. As a result, to solve all their concerns, we have tried our level best to answer the most asked questions.
Have a quick go through the below questions to find your desirable answer:
Does child support end at 18 in Saskatchewan?
Yes, the child support basically ends at 18 in Saskatchewan. However, there is a “but” condition here
For any kind of exception in the cases of paying child support, it may vary depending on the various factors. Such as s/he is a special child, the child is suffering from any long-term illness, admitted to a full-time educational institution, etc.
Does child support end at 18 if the child is in college?
Usually, by law in most of the states, you don’t need to pay any child support after the child attains the age of 18. It doesn’t matter whether the child is still going to college or has got married.
However, as per the law of the age of majority in Saskatchewan, if the child is enrolled in a full-time educational program—in that case, the parents must pay the child support till it is completed.
Is not paying child support a criminal offense in Canada?
Of course. In fact, to your surprise, not paying child support without any valid reasons that too within time can land you in jail along with a ransom fine as a special treat. In Canada, children are given the topmost priority of everything, and their rights should always be maintained.
When can I stop paying child support?
You can stop paying child support legally when the child attains the age of adulthood, 18, unless there is an exception to it. For instance, the child is still receiving post-secondary education or is a special needs child.
Does child support change if ex-spouse remarries in Canada?
No, there will be no changes in the child support in case your ex-spouse remarries in Canada. In fact, nothing can stop you from paying or changing your terms and conditions of child support without any valid reasons, or the child attains the age of maturity.
After all, nothing should come between paying child support. Remember, it is the legal right of every child.
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