When does child support end in Ontario — is there an age cutoff?
Child support does not automatically end at age 18 in Ontario. Under both the Divorce Act and the Children's Law Reform Act, support can continue for a child who is over 18 but remains a "child" in law — meaning they are enrolled in full-time education or are otherwise unable to withdraw from parental charge because of illness, disability, or other cause.
The most common reason support continues past 18 is post-secondary education. Courts generally expect parents to contribute to a child's university or college expenses as long as the child is enrolled full-time, making reasonable progress, and is not yet self-sufficient. There is no fixed upper age in the legislation; each case depends on the child's situation. In practice, most courts will continue support through a first undergraduate degree if the child is doing reasonably well academically.
Support typically ends when the child becomes financially independent, leaves school without plans to return, or the circumstances that justified ongoing support no longer exist. A change can be made by agreement or by returning to court to vary the existing order. A lawyer can help you assess whether your order requires a variation or will expire on its own terms.
Key takeaways
- Support does not automatically stop at 18 — it continues if the child is still in school or dependent.
- Post-secondary enrollment is the most common reason support extends past majority.
- Courts look at academic progress and financial independence when deciding how long to continue.
- An existing order should be formally varied when circumstances change.