Child Support Lawyer Surrey

Child support is payable until the child reaches age of majority, which in British Columbia is 19. However, child support may still be payable for children over the age of majority if the child remains a child of marriage as defined by the Divorce Act. This includes if a child cannot obtain basic necessities of life due to illness, disability or other causes which include attending post-secondary schooling.

In addition to the basic guideline child support, parents are also responsible to pay monies towards the child’s other expenses. These are referred to as special expenses or section 7 expenses and include expenses such as day care, extra-curricular activities and medical/dental premiums. These expenses are generally shared between parents in proportion to their annual income. In determining what can be included as a special expense, various factors are considered including, whether the expense is necessary and reasonable; whether the parents can afford it; and whether the expense existed at the time the parents separated.

Factors which may vary the amount of child support payable include the amount of parenting time; if there are any claims of undue hardship; changes in income; or previous outstanding child support payments. It is best obtain legal advice in order to determine whether you are paying or receiving the appropriate amount of child support and special expenses for your child.