John P. Schuman C.S., Child and Family Law

54 - Child Support Does Not End at 18

Many parents are under the mistaken belief that child support ends in Canada when a child turns 18 years old.  Some even base their financial planning around being unburdened with child support when their offspring reaches voting age.   Parent can be shocked to learn that child support obligations can continue long after their children reach the age of majority – in some cases much longer.  Child support is often a hot topic. Many parents resent having to pay it and want it to end as soon as possible.

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains when and why parents can be on the hook for child support when their children are adults.

Unlike several jurisdictions of the United States, child support in Canada does not automatically end for a child when he or she turns 18 years old.  In Canada, child support continues for children after their 18th birthday in one of two circumstances:

1. When the child is disabled, such that he or she remains financially dependent on his or her parents and cannot obtain employment or other income that is adequate to meet his or her needs
2. When that child is enrolled full-time in a program of education.

However, even in these circumstances, child support can change and in many instances be reduced below what it was when the child was less than 18 years old.  In this episode, senior family lawyer, John Schuman, explains the specifics of what qualifies a child to receive support after age 18 (and what does not) and how child support can be changed.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will want to check out these ones:

53 - How to Pay Less Child Support

44 - Can You Be Better Off Financially If You Divorce?

40 - How to Keep Your Money in Separation and Divorce

36 - Is Family Court Biased?

34 - Disclosure in Family Law Cases

32 - How to Change a Support Order

14-16 Ontario Family Court Step-By-Step

12 - How Step Parents Can Be on the Hook for Child Support

11 - Child Support's Special and Extraordinary Expenses

10 -  Child Support in Ontario and Canada

Paperback available from:

The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, which is available  as a $9.99 Kindle eBook, Kobo eBook, or iBook for your iPad or iPhone and as a paperback from Amazon and better bookstores.   Anyone who has to deal with issues related to separation or divorce, the financial considerations in those circumstances or parenting concerns should rely on both this podcast and the book for easy-to-understand information and advice about how the law applies to their case and what are the best ways to address their concerns.  The book also covers all the other related family law issues, such as child support, spousal support, property division and restraining orders.  To get your copy of the book, click on the picture of the book above and to the left.

Thousands of people tune into the Ontario Family Law Podcast to get valuable pointers on family law, divorce and separation issues.  Please feel free to share this podcast with your social network using the sharing buttons below.  The host of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, John Schuman, is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, practicing in Toronto.  If you would like to contact him, either call 416-446-5847, email us,  or fill out form below and click “send.”

You can comment on this podcast using the comments section below.  Share your experiences with losing money - or coming out ahead, in your separation or divorce to supplement what people learn from this important podcast. 

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