Child support is the right of the child and cannot be waived by the parent. Both parents are responsible for the financial support of their children for as long as the children are dependents. 

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Children are no longer dependents if:

 

• they marry;

• they are at least 16 years old and choose to leave home; or

• they are 18 or older and are unable to support themselves due to disability, illness or enrollment in a full-time educational program. 

 

Absent any complicating factors, child support is usually based on the payor parent’s income and the number of children in the household and is calculated in accordance with the Child Support Guidelines. The payor parent will pay a set monthly amount (known as “table” child support) and will also contribute to the children’s special expenses (e.g. daycare). Special expenses are typically divided in proportion to the parents’ incomes.