Child Support in British Columbia
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Both parents are financially responsible for their children. The Federal Child Support Guidelines set standard amounts based on the paying parent's income and the number of children.
The child support tables are updated periodically by the Department of Justice — always check for the latest version at justice.gc.ca. On top of the table amount, parents share special or extraordinary expenses (section 7) — such as daycare, medical costs, education, and extracurricular activities — in proportion to their incomes.
Child support is considered a right of the child, not of the other parent. It cannot be waived in an agreement. It continues until the child turns 18, or longer if the child is still dependent (for example, attending school full-time or living with a disability).
If the paying parent earns under $16,000 per year, there is no table obligation.
When does it apply?
Child support applies when:
- Parents separate or divorce and have children under 18 (or older if still dependent).
- It applies to both married and common-law parents.
- The paying parent is usually the one with less parenting time.
What to Do If the Other Parent in Canada Refuses to Pay Child Support
- Look up the table amount at justice.gc.ca using your income and number of children.
- Identify section 7 expenses — daycare, medical, education, extracurriculars — and calculate each parent's share.
- Provide full financial disclosure — tax returns, pay stubs, and notices of assessment.
- Formalize the amount in a written agreement or court order.
- Review and update the amount whenever income changes significantly.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't stop paying without a court order — even if you are being denied parenting time. Support and parenting time are separate legal issues.
- Don't hide income — the court can impute (assign) income based on your earning capacity.
- Don't agree to waive child support — any agreement that does so is unenforceable.
- Don't assume support ends at 18 — it continues if the child is still a dependent.
- Don't pay informally without keeping records — you need proof of every payment.
How British Columbia differs from federal law
Child support in BC follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines for divorcing parents and the BC Child Support Guidelines (which mirror the federal guidelines) for parents who were never married or are separating under the Family Law Act.
- The amount of child support is based on the paying parent's income and the number of children, using fixed tables. This is largely a mathematical calculation, not discretionary.
- In addition to table amounts, both parents share special or extraordinary expenses (such as daycare, health insurance premiums, extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education) in proportion to their incomes.
- BC has a Child Support Recalculation Service, which automatically recalculates child support amounts each year based on updated income information — without requiring the parents to go back to court.
- The BC Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) can enforce child support orders by intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver's licences or passports, garnishing wages, and registering liens against property.
Additional Steps in British Columbia
Use the Child Support Table Lookup tool on the Department of Justice website to estimate the basic amount. If you have a court order or agreement, enrol in the BC Child Support Recalculation Service for automatic annual adjustments. If the other parent is not paying, register with the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) at 1-800-668-3637 or online.
Relevant Law: Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c. 25, Part 7; Federal Child Support Guidelines, SOR/97-175; Family Maintenance Enforcement Act, RSBC 1996, c. 127
Common Questions
When does child support apply?
Child support applies when:Parents separate or divorce and have children under 18 (or older if still dependent).It applies to both married and common-law parents.The paying parent is usually the one with less parenting time.
What should I do if my ex-partner in Canada is not paying court-ordered child support?
Look up the table amount at justice.gc.ca using your income and number of children.Identify section 7 expenses — daycare, medical, education, extracurriculars — and calculate each parent's share.Provide full financial disclosure — tax returns, pay stubs, and notices of assessment.Formalize the amount in a written agreement or court order.Review and update the amount whenever income changes significantly.
What mistakes should I avoid with child support?
Don't stop paying without a court order — even if you are being denied parenting time. Support and parenting time are separate legal issues.Don't hide income — the court can impute (assign) income based on your earning capacity.Don't agree to waive child support — any agreement that does so is unenforceable.Don't assume support ends at 18 — it continues if the child is still a dependent.Don't pay informally without keeping records — you need proof of every payment.
Child Support in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.