- The age of majority is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
- It is 19 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Yukon.
- Support can continue past that age if the child cannot support themself because of illness, disability or another cause. Courts often treat full-time school as such a cause.
- Payments under an order do not stop by themselves. The order has to end by its own terms, by agreement or by a new order.
Age of majority by province and territory
| Province or territory | Age of majority |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 18 |
| British Columbia | 19 |
| Manitoba | 18 |
| New Brunswick | 19 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 19 |
| Northwest Territories | 19 |
| Nova Scotia | 19 |
| Nunavut | 19 |
| Ontario | 18 |
| Prince Edward Island | 18 |
| Quebec | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | 18 |
| Yukon | 19 |
Under the Divorce Act, the age that counts is the age of majority in the province where the child lives.
Why support can continue after that birthday
The Divorce Act says a child is still a child of the marriage at or over the age of majority if they remain in a parent’s charge and cannot withdraw from it, or get the necessaries of life, because of illness, disability or other cause. Provincial laws for unmarried parents have similar rules.
Justice Canada notes that courts in many cases treat reasonable post-secondary studies as a valid “other cause”. In practice, support commonly continues while a child studies full time for a first degree or diploma. It is not guaranteed. Courts look at the child’s plans, effort, age, own earnings, and the family’s means.
How the amount works for an adult child
Section 3(2) of the Guidelines gives two options. The court can use the regular table amount plus special expenses, as if the child were under the age of majority. If that is not appropriate, it can set an amount that fits the child’s condition, means and needs and each parent’s ability to contribute. The second approach is common when the child lives away at school, earns money or has student loans.
Tuition and other school costs are usually shared as a special expense, after the child’s own contribution. Child support during college or university.
A child with a disability
If an adult child cannot become self-supporting because of illness or disability, support can continue without a set end date. The amount takes the child’s own income and benefits into account.
What usually ends support
- The child reaches the age of majority and is not in full-time school or otherwise dependent.
- The child finishes their studies.
- The child becomes self-supporting, for example by working full time.
- The child leaves the parents’ care for good, not just to attend school.
- The order or agreement names an end date or event and it arrives.
Ending support the right way
Read your order or agreement first. Many say when support ends. If yours does not, or the parents disagree, the paying parent should not simply stop. Unpaid support under an order becomes arrears, and enforcement programs keep collecting until the order is changed or the program is properly told that support has ended. Either agree in writing and tell the program, or ask the court to end the order.
Ending ongoing support does not erase arrears. Unpaid amounts from earlier years are still owed.
Common questions
Does child support stop at 18 in Ontario?
Not automatically. The age of majority in Ontario is 18, but support can continue if the child is in full-time school or cannot support themself because of illness or disability. The order stays in force until it ends by its terms, by agreement or by a new order.
Does child support stop at 19 in British Columbia?
Not automatically. The age of majority in BC is 19. Support can continue past 19 when the child remains dependent, most often because of full-time studies, illness or disability.
Do I have to pay child support while my child is in university?
Often yes. Courts in many cases treat reasonable post-secondary studies as a reason support continues past the age of majority. The amount can be the table amount or a figure that fits the child’s needs, earnings and loans.
Does child support end automatically?
No. Unless your order or agreement names an end date or event, it continues until both parents agree in writing or a court ends it. An enforcement program will keep collecting until then.
What if the child moves in with the paying parent?
That is a change in circumstances. Support can be updated, and the other parent may then owe support. The old order stays in force until it is changed.
Need a family lawyer?
Every province has a service or directory that helps parents find a family lawyer. Find yours.
Sources
General information only, not legal advice. For your situation, speak with a family lawyer or your province's family justice services.
