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Understanding Child Support Laws in Vancouver

Child support is payable in British Columbia in accordance with the tables set out in the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Monthly support amounts are established by the income of the payor and the number of children. The amounts will only very in unusual circumstances, such as where the party has to claim hardship due to a significant illness.

Duration of Child Support Payments

Child support is payable as long as the child remains unable to support themselves due to being under the age of 19, having a disability, or being a student in post-secondary education. In the event that a couple shares the children on an equal time rotation, child support is often calculated on an offset, where each parent determines what they are liable to pay the other for support, and the party who is liable for the higher amount pays the difference between the two. If you require legal assistance to resolve how much child support ought to be paid, contact a family lawyer at Paine Edmonds LLP in Vancouver, and we will help you determine how best to resolve this issue.

Who Can Pay Child Support?

Step parents can also be potentially liable for paying child support. After one year of “standing in the place of a parent,” a person becomes liable to potentially paying child support for that child for as long as that child remains unable to support themselves due to being under the age of 19, having a disability, or being a student in post-secondary education. As the Courts consider it in the best interests of the child that they are able to access resources available to them to ensure a healthy quality of life, the Courts may order lengthy support payable by someone who did not intend to undertake this liability. If you are concerned that you may be liable for support, contact a family law lawyer at Paine Edmonds LLP, and we will help you determine if you stood in the place of a parent and now may be expected to pay support for that child.

Contact Paine Edmonds LLP today to arrange for a Initial consultation.