It is important for parents facing a child support obligation to understand when it is set to end. Planning for the future is important, and that is not possible without a clear picture of how long these payments will last. What’s more, there are situations where terminating mandatory payments early is possible.
There are some common misconceptions about this process, making it vital that you seek out a dedicated family lawyer. The sooner you speak with a Toronto child support termination lawyer, the more likely you are to set yourself and your family up for success in the future.
The language in a child support order can vary from one situation to another. In some cases, it might include specifics of a “terminating event” that ends the obligation to make payment once it occurs. A child support termination lawyer in Toronto could answer questions about these events.
When a terminating event is not specified, this obligation remains in effect until the child no longer qualifies as a dependent. This typically occurs when they reach the age of 18. However, other circumstances could require payments to continue past that age. For example, a child could be treated as a dependent even as an adult if they are in school full-time. Payments can continue until they obtain a post-secondary degree. This obligation can also continue when it comes to adult children living with disabilities.
There are times when all parties agree that child support payments are no longer necessary. When the parents are on the same page, it is possible to petition to terminate the obligation without going to court.
This is done with the Family Responsibility Office. Also referred to as FRO, this government organization handles the payment process. When there is no obligation to end these payments, it is possible to file an application that will discontinue financial support.
Once this process starts, the FRO sends a letter to the recipient to determine if termination is appropriate. The obligation will end without further effort if the recipient agrees to termination in writing. If they refuse, it will be necessary for the paying party to go to court and seek an end to this requirement.
If the support recipient does not respond at all, the FRO can stop enforcing payments. This makes it crucial to seek out guidance of a lawyer in Toronto to terminate child support. Having the support of a lawyer can be invaluable when attempting to end payments or prevent a co-parent from doing the same.
If you believe it is the appropriate time to end support payments to your child, you will need to either secure approval from the receiving party or get a court order. In either scenario, having the support of a Toronto child support termination lawyer is vital. Reach out immediately to learn more about your legal options.
The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm
