Both the federal Divorce Act and BC’s Family Law Act address how long a parent has to pay child support and in what amount. Each law defines a “child” for support purposes in a slightly different way.
Divorce Act
Under the Divorce Act, a “child of the marriage” is a child of two spouses or former spouses who, at the material time:
(a) is under the age of majority and who has not withdrawn from their charge, or
(b) is the age of majority or over and under their charge but unable, by reason of illness, disability or other cause, to withdraw from their charge or to obtain the necessaries of life.
In British Columbia, a person reaches the age of majority on becoming 19 years of age (see the Age of Majority Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 7). The age of majority differs from province to province. For example, in Alberta age of majority is 18.
Family Law Act
Under the Family Law Act, "child" includes a person who is 19 years of age or older and unable, because of illness, disability or another reason, to obtain the necessaries of life or withdraw from the charge of his or her parents or guardians.