In British Columbia, nearly 40% of divorces include child support orders, which have quickly become the leading type of divorce court order in the country. Because of this, you might assume everyone would know the answer to the question, “When does child support end in BC?” However, you may not know what it is if you haven’t ever gone through the divorce process.
If you’re preparing for this process and are unclear about how long these financial obligations last, investigate this issue, as it could impact your legal proceedings. Learn the answer below.
When Child Support Ends in British Columbia
The answer to the question, “When does child support end in BC?” is usually 19. The British Columbia Family Maintenance Agency is responsible for collecting payments until children reach the age of majority, which is 19 in BC, and sending them to the appropriate recipients.
The Family Law Act outlines the obligations of parents in British Columbia regarding financial support for their children. It maintains that parents must offer it until they turn 19, except in rare instances.
When It May Continue Longer
Although the answer to the question, “When does child support end in BC?” is typically, “When a dependent child turns 19,” there are exceptions to this rule. In certain circumstances, parents may be required to continue offering children financial support after they turn 19.
Here are a few examples:
- When a child has health-related issues, including physical and/or mental health challenges, that make it difficult for them to work and earn a living
- When they have physical or mental disabilities or special needs that require ongoing financial assistance
- When they are making progress toward earning a post-secondary education and need post-secondary support until they earn a degree
In the months before a child’s 19th birthday, the BCFMA conducts an age-of-majority case review to determine whether they qualify for continued support following a divorce. This process involves the following steps:
- Sending forms to a recipient to inquire about a child’s situation
- Reviewing the information provided in these forms to decide if they qualify for further support
- Letting a recipient know if the BCFMA will keep collecting payments on their behalf beyond their 19th birthday
If the BCFMA chooses to continue collecting payments for a recipient for any reason, the agency will also contact them regularly to determine their eligibility.
Who To Trust To Help With a Divorce Case That Includes Child Support
In many cases, answering the question, “When does child support end in BC?” is easy. However, some cases feature complexities that complicate these matters.
For this reason, you should retain the legal services of an experienced, dedicated, and reliable divorce lawyer to help you navigate a case that will include child support. This will ensure you fully understand your support obligations and know when they will end.
Hiring the right legal team to help during your case will allow you to ask other questions and express concerns about your divorce proceedings.
Call Us To Find Out More About When Child Support Ends in BC
If you’re still confused about the answer to the question, “When does child support end in BC?” you should call a reputable divorce attorney from Pier Law & Mediation to help. We can evaluate your situation and tell you which obligations you must take on after a separation and/or divorce from your spouse.
We can also assist you with many other family law matters, including child custody, spousal support, separation agreements, and more. Contact us today at 604-560-8285 or complete this brief form to secure our legal help.
