Child support in British Columbia generally ends when a child turns 19, which is the provincial age of majority. However, under British Columbia's Family Law Act, s. 146 and the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.), s. 2(1), support obligations can extend well beyond age 19 if the child remains dependent due to full-time post-secondary education, illness, or disability. British Columbia courts apply the eight Farden factors from Farden v. Farden (1993 BCSC) to determine whether an adult child qualifies for continued support. Approximately 40% of child support variation applications in BC involve children aged 19 to 25 attending university or college, and the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables (updated October 1, 2025) set the baseline amounts payable based on the paying parent's income.
Key Facts: Child Support Termination in British Columbia
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Default Termination Age | 19 (age of majority in BC) |
| Governing Provincial Law | Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c. 25, Part 7 |
| Governing Federal Law | Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, s. 2(1) |
| Child Support Guidelines | Federal Child Support Guidelines, SOR/97-175 (updated Oct. 1, 2025) |
| Extension Beyond 19 | Yes, for post-secondary education, illness, or disability |
| Court Test for Extension | Farden v. Farden factors (1993 BCSC) |
| Filing Fee (Variation) | $200 for Notice of Family Claim; $210 if divorce order included |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year habitual residence in BC (either spouse) |
| Minimum Income Threshold | $12,000/year (no support payable below this) |
| Court | BC Supreme Court or BC Provincial Court |
When Does Child Support End in British Columbia at Age 19?
Child support in British Columbia automatically ends when a child reaches age 19, the provincial age of majority, provided the child has withdrawn from parental care and is self-supporting. Under Family Law Act, s. 146, each parent has a duty to provide support for a "child," and the Act defines "child" to include a person who is 19 years of age or older if they are unable to obtain the necessaries of life or withdraw from parental charge. This means that turning 19 does not automatically terminate a child support order in every case.
The critical distinction is between the general rule and the exceptions. If a 19-year-old has finished high school, is employed full-time, and is living independently, child support obligations typically cease without any court application. The paying parent can simply stop payments once the child turns 19, provided no court order or agreement specifies otherwise.
However, if the child support order or separation agreement contains specific language extending support past age 19 (for example, "until the child completes their first undergraduate degree"), the terms of that order or agreement govern. Parents cannot unilaterally stop paying if the order or agreement specifies a different termination date. In British Columbia, approximately 35% of child support orders contain language addressing post-19 support obligations, reflecting the prevalence of this issue.
Under the Divorce Act, s. 2(1), a "child of the marriage" means a child who is under the age of majority and has not withdrawn from parental charge, or a child who is at or over the age of majority but unable, by reason of illness, disability, or other cause, to withdraw from parental charge or obtain the necessaries of life. British Columbia courts interpret "other cause" broadly to include full-time post-secondary education.
Can Child Support Continue Beyond Age 19 for Post-Secondary Students?
Child support can continue beyond age 19 in British Columbia when an adult child is enrolled in full-time post-secondary education and remains financially dependent on their parents. Courts apply the eight Farden factors from Farden v. Farden (1993 BCSC) to determine whether continued support is warranted, and the burden of proof falls on the parent seeking to extend support.
The eight Farden factors that BC courts consider are:
- Whether the child is enrolled in a full-time course of studies and whether that course is a reasonable one in all the circumstances
- Whether the child has applied for or is eligible for student loans, grants, or other financial assistance
- The career plans of the child and whether the educational program is consistent with those plans
- The ability of the child to contribute to their own support through part-time employment during the school year or full-time employment during summer breaks
- The age of the child
- The child's past academic performance, including whether the child has been achieving satisfactory grades
- The parents' plans for the education of their children, particularly plans made during the relationship
- Whether the child has maintained a reasonable relationship with the paying parent (though this factor alone cannot justify terminating support)
British Columbia courts have consistently held that the Farden factors are not a mandatory checklist. A court does not need to find that every factor favours continuation. Rather, the factors provide a framework for assessing whether the adult child's circumstances are consistent with the definition of "child" under the Family Law Act, s. 146 or "child of the marriage" under the Divorce Act, s. 2(1).
In practice, BC courts have extended child support for students enrolled in 4-year undergraduate programs (typically until age 22 or 23), professional programs such as law or medicine (potentially until age 25 or 26), and graduate programs where the child demonstrates a clear career trajectory. Courts have declined to extend support for students who repeatedly change programs without clear direction, take excessive time to complete their studies, or refuse to seek part-time employment or student loans.
How Does Illness or Disability Affect Child Support Duration?
Child support in British Columbia continues indefinitely when an adult child is unable to obtain the necessaries of life due to illness or disability, regardless of the child's age. Under Family Law Act, s. 1, the definition of "child" explicitly includes a person aged 19 or older who cannot obtain the necessaries of life or withdraw from parental charge because of illness, disability, or another reason.
This provision means that a parent may have a lifelong child support obligation for a child with a permanent disability. The support amount is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables in the same manner as for a minor child, based on the paying parent's annual income. For a parent earning $80,000 per year with one dependent child in British Columbia, the guideline table amount is approximately $756 per month under the 2025 tables.
BC courts assess disability-related support claims by examining whether the child's condition prevents them from achieving financial independence. Conditions that have supported extended child support include severe mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, chronic physical conditions requiring ongoing care, and acquired brain injuries. The key legal question is not whether the child has a diagnosed condition, but whether that condition renders the child unable to support themselves.
A parent seeking to terminate support for a disabled adult child must demonstrate a material change in circumstances, such as the child gaining the capacity for self-support through treatment, rehabilitation, or vocational training. The threshold for terminating disability-related support is high, and BC courts rarely grant such applications absent clear evidence of the child's improved capacity for independence.
What Are the Federal Child Support Guidelines and How Do They Apply?
The Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) establish the baseline child support amounts payable in British Columbia based on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. The tables were most recently updated on October 1, 2025, to reflect current tax rules, and parents with existing orders should verify whether their current amounts differ from the updated table amounts.
The Guidelines apply a straightforward formula for most cases. For one child in British Columbia, monthly support amounts range from $0 for incomes below $12,000 per year to approximately $756 for an income of $80,000 to roughly $1,523 for an income of $150,000. For incomes above $150,000, the court has discretion to set the amount based on the table amount for $150,000 plus a percentage of income above that threshold.
| Annual Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | ~$256/mo | ~$428/mo | ~$553/mo |
| $50,000 | ~$461/mo | ~$734/mo | ~$964/mo |
| $80,000 | ~$756/mo | ~$1,138/mo | ~$1,438/mo |
| $100,000 | ~$936/mo | ~$1,381/mo | ~$1,722/mo |
| $150,000 | ~$1,523/mo | ~$2,073/mo | ~$2,458/mo |
Note: Amounts are approximate and based on the 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for British Columbia. Verify current amounts at justice.gc.ca. As of March 2026. Verify with your local clerk.
The Guidelines also address special or extraordinary expenses under s. 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines. These expenses, which include post-secondary tuition, are shared proportionally between parents based on their respective incomes. For an adult child attending university, the section 7 contribution typically covers tuition, textbooks, mandatory fees, and reasonable living expenses not covered by the child's own contributions from employment or student loans.
Shared parenting time (where each parent has the child at least 40% of the time) triggers a different calculation under s. 9 of the Guidelines, using a set-off approach that considers both parents' table amounts. This calculation is primarily relevant for minor children and rarely applies to adult children attending post-secondary education.
How Do You Apply to Vary or Terminate a Child Support Order?
To vary or terminate a child support order in British Columbia, the applying parent must demonstrate a material change in circumstances since the original order was made, and the application must be filed in either BC Supreme Court or BC Provincial Court depending on where the original order was issued. The filing fee for a Notice of Family Claim in BC Supreme Court is $200 ($210 if a divorce order is also sought), and Provincial Court applications have lower fees.
The process for varying or terminating child support follows these steps:
- Determine which court made the original order (BC Supreme Court orders can only be varied in Supreme Court; Provincial Court orders can only be varied in Provincial Court)
- Complete the appropriate application forms (Form F33 for Provincial Court; Notice of Application for Supreme Court)
- File the application and pay the filing fee
- Serve the other parent with the filed application
- Both parties exchange financial disclosure (Financial Statement Form F8 in Provincial Court; Form F8 in Supreme Court)
- Attend a hearing or judicial case conference
A "material change in circumstances" for terminating child support when does child support end in British Columbia includes the child reaching age 19 and becoming self-supporting, the child completing post-secondary education, the child marrying or entering a common-law relationship, the child becoming employed full-time, or the child voluntarily withdrawing from parental charge.
For the paying parent, a significant decrease in income (job loss, disability, retirement) can also constitute grounds for varying the support amount, though not necessarily terminating it entirely. British Columbia courts require detailed financial disclosure from both parties, and failure to provide complete disclosure can result in adverse inferences or cost awards.
British Columbia also offers the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP), which enforces existing child support orders. If a paying parent stops making payments without a court order varying or terminating support, FMEP can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, suspend driver's licenses, and register liens against property. The program enforces over $250 million in family maintenance payments annually across the province.
What Is the One-Year Residency Requirement for Filing in BC?
To file a divorce application in British Columbia, at least one spouse must have been habitually resident in the province for a minimum of one year immediately before starting the proceeding, as required by Divorce Act, s. 3(1). This residency requirement applies to divorce applications specifically; applications to vary child support under the Family Law Act do not require a one-year residency period.
"Habitually resident" means the province where, in the settled routine of a person's life, they regularly, normally, or customarily live. Temporary absences for work, travel, or medical treatment do not break the residency requirement, provided BC remains the person's primary home. Only one spouse needs to meet this requirement, meaning a parent living in BC can file even if the other parent has moved to another province or country.
For child support applications under the Family Law Act, Part 7 (as opposed to the Divorce Act), there is no one-year residency requirement. A parent can apply for child support in BC Provincial Court or BC Supreme Court if the child ordinarily resides in British Columbia, regardless of how long the applying parent has lived in the province. This distinction is important for recently relocated parents who need to address child support urgently.
Does the Child's Relationship with the Paying Parent Matter?
British Columbia courts consider whether the adult child has maintained a reasonable relationship with the paying parent as one of the Farden factors, but this factor alone cannot justify terminating child support. Under the Family Law Act, the child's entitlement to support is based on their status as a dependent, not on the quality of the parent-child relationship.
In Farden v. Farden and subsequent BC decisions, courts have held that a child who completely repudiates the paying parent without justification may see reduced or terminated support. However, the threshold is high. The child must have actively and unreasonably severed all contact, not merely have a strained or distant relationship. Courts recognize that parental separation often damages parent-child bonds, and children should not be financially penalized for the emotional consequences of their parents' divorce.
Where the paying parent has been absent, abusive, or has failed to maintain contact with the child, BC courts have consistently refused to reduce support based on the relationship factor. The court's primary concern is the child's financial wellbeing, not rewarding or punishing relational dynamics. In practice, the relationship factor affects fewer than 10% of Farden analyses in reported BC decisions.
What Happens If Both Parents Disagree About When Support Should End?
When parents disagree about when child support should end in British Columbia, the dispute must be resolved through the court system, mediation, or a family law arbitration process. The paying parent cannot unilaterally stop support payments without a court order or written agreement from the other parent, even if the child has turned 19. Doing so risks enforcement action by the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program.
British Columbia offers several dispute resolution options with different costs and timelines:
| Resolution Method | Approximate Cost | Typical Timeline | Binding? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediation | $1,500 to $5,000 | 2 to 4 months | Only if both agree |
| Collaborative Family Law | $5,000 to $15,000 | 3 to 6 months | Yes, if agreement reached |
| Provincial Court Application | $200 to $500 (fees) + lawyer costs | 4 to 8 months | Yes |
| Supreme Court Application | $200 to $2,000 (fees) + lawyer costs | 6 to 18 months | Yes |
| Family Law Arbitration | $3,000 to $10,000 | 2 to 6 months | Yes |
Before filing a court application, British Columbia requires parties to attend a Parenting After Separation program (free, offered online and in-person) and attempt at least one session of family dispute resolution, unless exempted due to family violence or urgency. These requirements were strengthened under the 2021 amendments to the Divorce Act, which emphasize non-court resolution as the first option.
The BC Provincial Court processes child support variation applications more quickly than the Supreme Court, with average resolution times of 4 to 8 months compared to 6 to 18 months. However, only the Supreme Court can grant a divorce or vary a Supreme Court order. If the existing child support order was made in Supreme Court (which is common when it was part of a divorce proceeding), the variation must also be brought in Supreme Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does child support automatically stop at 19 in British Columbia?
Child support does not automatically stop at age 19 in British Columbia if the child remains dependent. Under the Family Law Act, s. 146, support continues if the child cannot obtain the necessaries of life due to illness, disability, or another reason such as full-time post-secondary education. The paying parent must apply to court or obtain the other parent's written agreement to formally terminate the obligation.
When does child support end in British Columbia for a university student?
Child support for a university student in British Columbia typically continues until the child completes their first undergraduate degree, usually around age 22 to 23. Courts apply the eight Farden factors from Farden v. Farden (1993 BCSC) to assess whether the student is pursuing a reasonable educational program, contributing through part-time work, and maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
Can child support extend past age 25 in British Columbia?
Child support can extend past age 25 in British Columbia in limited circumstances. For children with permanent disabilities, support may continue indefinitely under the Family Law Act, s. 1. For students, courts have extended support through professional programs (law, medicine) that may continue to age 25 or 26, but rarely beyond that without a disability-related reason.
What are the Farden factors for adult child support in BC?
The eight Farden factors (from Farden v. Farden, 1993 BCSC) assess whether an adult child qualifies for continued support: (1) full-time enrollment, (2) eligibility for student loans, (3) career plan consistency, (4) ability to contribute through employment, (5) age of the child, (6) academic performance, (7) parents' educational plans during the relationship, and (8) relationship with the paying parent.
How do I stop paying child support in BC when my child turns 19?
To stop paying child support in British Columbia when your child turns 19, you should first check your existing court order or separation agreement for any terms extending support beyond age 19. If no extension terms exist and the child is self-supporting, you may stop payments. If the order specifies continued support or the child remains dependent, you must apply to court (filing fee: $200 in Supreme Court) for a variation order.
Does my child have to work while attending university to keep receiving child support?
British Columbia courts expect adult children receiving support to contribute to their own expenses through reasonable part-time employment during the academic year and full-time work during summer breaks. Under Farden factor 4, a child who refuses all employment without a valid reason (such as an intensive academic program) may see support reduced. However, the expectation is reasonable employment, not full self-sufficiency.
What happens if I just stop paying child support without a court order in BC?
Stopping child support payments in British Columbia without a court order or written agreement triggers enforcement by the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP). FMEP can garnish wages, seize bank accounts, intercept tax refunds, suspend your driver's license and passport, register liens against real property, and report the default to credit agencies. FMEP enforces over $250 million in maintenance payments annually.
Can a child support order be changed if my income drops significantly?
A significant income reduction constitutes a material change in circumstances that may justify varying a child support order in British Columbia. Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, support is recalculated based on the paying parent's current income. If income drops from $80,000 to $50,000, monthly support for one child decreases from approximately $756 to $461. You must apply to court or use BC's Recalculation Program to update the order.
Does British Columbia have a child support recalculation program?
British Columbia operates the BC Child Support Recalculation Service, which automatically recalculates child support amounts annually without requiring a court application. Both parents submit income information, and the service adjusts the support amount based on the updated Federal Child Support Guidelines tables. The service is free and available for orders that include a recalculation clause. Contact the service through the BC Family Justice website.
What is the minimum income threshold for paying child support in BC?
The Federal Child Support Guidelines set the minimum income threshold at $12,000 per year. Parents earning below $12,000 annually are not required to pay child support under the guideline tables. For parents earning between $12,000 and $20,000, the table amounts are modest (ranging from $7 to $100 per month for one child depending on exact income). Courts can impute income to a parent who is intentionally underemployed or unemployed.