How Child Support Works In British Columbia
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Child support in BC is there to help make sure that children are always taken care of, even when their parents go through a divorce. A parent is not able to refuse to pay this support just because they do not like the other parent or because they no longer approve of how the other parent is using the money.
The law states that the parent the children live with the most will be able to receive child support through the other parent. If the children end up spending close to equal amounts of time with both parents, then it will be the person who brings in the higher income who will have to pay the support.
How Much is Child Support?
The exact amount that child support in BC will cost depends on a number of factors and is different in each case. The most common factors that go into this amount include:
# Where the children live.
# How many children are supported
# How much the person paying the support earns.
Each province will have their own table for the exact amounts so it is a good idea to check into this. The tables will also change based on how much time the child spends with each parent.
How Long Will a Parent Pay for Child Support?
The amount of time that child support will be paid depends on the age of the child when the support begins. If the support begins when they are a baby, rather than when the parents divorce with older children, then the paying parent will have longer to do this.
While the laws do vary a little depending on where you live, the basic rules state that the children will be entitled to support from both of the parents if:
# They are currently under 19 years old.
# They are 19 and older, but they are not able to take care of themselves from a disability or an illness.
Your child support agreement will help you determine exactly how long you will need to pay.
Is it Necessary to Go to Court?
It is possible to come to an agreement about child support without having to go to court. This can save a lot of time and money for both parties. You will need to file an agreement through the courts before it is considered legal. Once the agreement is filed within the courts, it will be enforced just like a court order. They can also be changed if there is a change in situation for either party. You will need to work with a lawyer, family justice counselor, or mediator to help write out this court order.
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