Children are the future of our nation. Because they will grow up to contribute to the country’s total productivity when we look towards the end of the road. That is why child support is important for a healthy future. However, do you know when does child support ends in Canada?
If you do not know about the ending of child support, you are in the right place. This article will provide brief information about child support as children’s rights and other facts related to it. Child support in Canada is not similar to the United States or other countries. Hence it is a fact to look upon if you are living in Canada.
What is Child Support?
Child support is the financial support provided by a parent of a child to another parent. It is provided for the wellbeing of their child or children. There are available significant punishments for not paying child support.
What does Child Support Covers in Canada?
Child support covers almost all children’s expenses for a safe growing up until becoming self-dependent. Child support covers:
- Carrying living expenses also falls under child support that includes, bills house rents, etc
- Food
- Cloths
- Child support pays a child’s education that includes books, education fees of institution or school
- Child support also covers other requirements, such as a doctor, pocket money, transport, and other necessary things.
How to Apply for Child Support?
The application for child support requires filling some forms given by the court. You can apply with the help of a child support lawyer. Here are some steps to follow for applying for child support.
- Fill up the court forms
- Make copies when the forms are completed
- Collect all supporting and necessary documents
- Submit all your forms and information to the court
- Serve the other parent or caregiver
These are the five easy steps to follow to apply for your child support.
Read Also: Who Is the Custody of The Children for In General Sense? What does the Law Say?
How is Child Support Calculated?
There is a complete federal guideline for child support that helps to calculate the amount of payment. It can be a child support calculator for Saskatchewan, or Ontario, or any place in Canada; the calculator will provide you with the amount applicable for your province.
This calculation includes factors like,
- the province or territory
- Number of children
- Solvency of the paying parents before tax of the annual income
You can calculate the child support amount with the help of a virtual calculator using these factors that will help you calculate the child support precisely.
When does Child Support End?
Generally, child support ends when your child becomes 18, but it’s not the same for all cases. Unlike other nations, child support does not automatically end when your child becomes 18. There are factors that may not allow child support to end.
Child Support for Disability
If your children or child is disabled or has other mental or physical issues, then, in that case, you have to pay child support. Regarding any dependency, either physical or mental, child support is mandatory even after the child is above eighteen years old when a child requires extra care only.
Read Also: Rules of Child Custody after Divorce
Child Support for Remaining Education
Parents have to pay child support if their child is enrolled in any career-related education program and requires financial support. Also, if your child needs an extra year to complete his or her education, then in that case also parents have to pay support. That is only applicable when the educational extension is not an excuse for dependency rather a legitimate reason for having child support.
Paying child support after eighteen for the educational purposes of your child or children is controversial. There are arguments that this child support is a leeway for children to be dependent on. Some children may spend lavishly in the years of high school and yet qualifies child support.
A child can spend time with friends and enjoying rather than complete education related to their career. In that case, judges decide the courses he or she is completing that are related to his or her career or not. If the child is performing well, he or she becomes qualified for child support or Victory Lap.
Child Support for Post-secondary Education
In many cases, children take enrollment in a full-time educational program for which they have to pay extra expenses. That is why parents have to pay for their extended education, tuition, residence, books, and more. In that case, child support is legitimate for children above 18.
Child Support after Moving Out
In most cases, child support is not applicable when a child is mature enough to move out. Even when a child spends more years in schooling, it expected the child to pay for their education. For children who moved out are also likely to be financially independent.
Do You have to Pay Child Support?
Following some facts of the law, there are ways to avoid child support. If you have to pay child support but you are not well off, but the other parent of your child is, the other parents will pay.
If you are not physically and mentally fit to earn enough, you can avoid child support. But for that, you need legitimate proof and reason to avoid your child support because it is mandatory.
When it comes to justice, sometimes, the law is blind, but there can be legitimate reasons for which you want to avoid paying child support. In that case, you have to consult with a lawyer and may have to hire a lawyer to appeal to you.
Without a legitimate reason, you will have to pay child support if you are well off. Skipping paying child support is an offense, and you will be penalized if you refuse to pay child support to skip it.
Final Words
Children are precious in our society. Today they are children and living under your shadow, but tomorrow, they will provide your shadow, a universal truth. Unfortunately, children go through their parent’s separation and deal with considerable uncertainty.
That is why Canada’s family law includes child support and makes it mandatory for parents to pay. Child support provides financial safety to a child and other benefits so that your child does not live in deprivation.
This article has provided the complete child support guidelines for Canada, including information about when child support ends, an amount calculator, and many more. Suggest it to whoever needs it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find Saskatchewan child support guidelines?
You can find child support guidelines on the government website. There are both federal and provincial guidelines. Find your province Saskatchewan’s child support guidelines easily. You can also contact a lawyer who can help you more on this matter.
How is child support calculated in Ontario?
The child support is calculated in three steps and factors- Determining the table amount, Section 7 expenses, and Reason for departing from the amount. All these points depend on the income of the parents and the expenses for the child’s needs.
How does child support work in Canada?
The total gross income of a parent determines who should pay how much for the child support. Income tax return, number of children, residency, the difference in income of the spouses are the field of consideration and calculation.
How long does a parent have to pay child support in Canada?
In normal circumstances, the parent must pay the child support until the child is 18 years old, which is the age of majority. But, it should not stop if the child is still not independent after reaching the age.
Does child support go down if the father has another baby?
The child support might reduce if the father has another child, and of course, not always. That depends on the consideration of the court. The court might ask the father to show evidence of difficulty or both family’s standard of living or both.
Related Article:
Establishing Legal Paternity of Your Child
