54. Child Support Does Not End at Age 18

Child Support Does Not End at Age 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

Contact Us

To contact John Schuman, Certified Specialist in Family Law, call 416-446-5847, email him at john.schuman@devrylaw.ca, or use the form on this page.

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