Child Support BC

Are you concerned about BC child support payments? We can determine whether your financial situation qualifies for support, and if needed, help you negotiate a fair settlement to maintain financial stability for your child.

BC Child Support

BC child support is based on the incomes of both parents as well as the parenting schedule. If children are residing primarily with one parent, the other will pay child support to the primary parent as dictated by their income and as outlined in the Federal Child Support Guidelines.


If parenting is shared, meaning that both parents have more than 40% of the time with the children, then an offset of the amounts each parent would owe under the Federal Child Support Guidelines would usually be applied. Keep in mind that there are exceptions to this approach, and it is not automatic.


While the amount of support paid is based in part on the amount of time a parent has with the children, child support is not tied to parenting time in the sense that if a child is withheld, then BC child support need not be paid. Child support is the right of the child, not the right of the parent it is owed to.


Because child support is the right of the child, a recipient parent cannot choose to waive child support. Moreover, an agreement for child support that is less than the amount dictated by the Federal Child Support Guidelines is unlikely to be valid. Child support is payable until the child is the age of majority. In BC, this is 19 years old.


BC child support can be payable past the age of majority if the child is still financially dependent on his or her parents, and is unable to withdraw from the charge of his or her parents. This is often the case if the child has special needs or is in a course of full-time post-secondary education.

Book your Consultation

BC Child Support
Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are Section 7 expenses?

    Section 7 expenses are those that go beyond what is required for the basic necessities for a child. They must be reasonable and necessary and are usually paid by the parents in proportion to their incomes. What is and is not considered a Section 7 expense may differ depending on a family's pre-separation spending and financial circumstances. Common Section 7 expenses include the cost of daycare, extracurricular activities, tutoring, medical and dental care, among other expenses.

  • My adult child is enrolled in a post-secondary educational program. Do I still have to pay child support to my ex?

    In this case, your obligation to pay support would be based on a number of factors, including the age of the child, whether the program is full-time or part-time, whether the program is likely to lead to a job, and the child's performance in that program, as well as his or her ability to support themselves while enrolled. 


    The court will also consider the financial circumstances of the parents and their expectations in relation to post-secondary schooling for their child while they were still together. The court may also order an amount different from the Guideline amount in certain circumstances if an adult child is found to still be a child of the marriage.

  • I separated from my spouse and she has a child from a previous relationship. As a step-parent, do I have to pay her spousal support for her child?

    If you have contributed to the support of their child for at least one year before separation, then you could be obligated to pay child support if your former spouse seeks support from you. The court may order a child support amount less than the Guidelines amount depending on the circumstances, including whether the child's biological parent is also paying child support.

  • Can I claim retroactive child support for my child that is now an adult?

    According to a recent case from the Supreme Court of Canada, the court theoretically has jurisdiction to make child support orders where the intended beneficiary is no longer a child. If this is your situation, please consult us for further information specific to your circumstances.

  • My former partner is unemployed or underemployed. Does he have to pay child support?

    Parents have an obligation to maximize their earning capacity to support their children. On this basis, the court often imputes income to a spouse who is not living up to their earning potential. This means that an order for child support is based on what a parent could earn, not necessarily what they do earn.

  • I am making more money than I did at the time I entered into an agreement for child support. Do I have to pay more than I agreed to?

    You should speak to your former spouse about your situation and see if you can enter into a consent order based on your new circumstances, even if this is only a temporary arrangement, If that is not possible, you need to apply to court to decrease your support obligations immediately, so that you are not in contempt of the court order.