Child support guarantees children adequate access to the necessary resources for optimal development. The federal government regulates British Columbia (BC), and the BC Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) enforces court-ordered child support payments.
Read on to learn the purpose of child support, eligibility criteria, and how child support payments are calculated in BC.
Purpose of Child Support
The objective of child support is to guarantee that both parents make financial contributions towards the upbringing of their offspring, regardless of the parent’s relationship status. Child support aims to ensure children have the necessary resources to fulfill their fundamental requirements, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
It also helps ensure that children can access educational and extracurricular activities and medical and dental care.
Eligibility for Child Support
Parents must furnish financial assistance to their offspring until they attain the age of majority. However, child support can continue beyond the age of majority if the child is still dependent on their parents due to a disability or other circumstances.
To be eligible for child support, it is a requirement that the dependent seeking financial assistance must be either their biological offspring or a legally adopted child. In addition, for a parent to receive help, legal custody of the child is deemed a requisite. This involves the child primarily residing with them.
In cases where a child allocates an equivalent time with each parent, child support can be mandated even if one parent earns a higher income.
Calculating Child Support Payments
Child support payments are calculated based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The guidelines consider both parents’ income, the number of children requiring support, and the province or territory where the paying parent resides.
The initial stage in the computation of child support payments involves the assessment of the total income earned by both parents. Gross pay includes all sources of revenue. After the determination of the gross income of each parent, certain deductions are made, such as taxes and employment expenses, to arrive at the net income.
The subsequent course of action involves ascertaining the amount of child support that would be payable based on the paying parent’s gross income alone. It is done using the Child Support Table, a chart that lists the amount of child support payable based on the paying parent’s income and the number of children requiring support.
Enforcing Child Support Payments
If a parent fails to make court-ordered child support payments, the FMEP can take various enforcement measures. These measures may include wage garnishment, seizure of assets, suspension of driver’s licenses, and passport denial.
Conclusion
The provision of child support is crucial in guaranteeing that children have the necessary resources at their disposal to flourish. Child support payments in British Columbia are determined by considering the income of both parents, the number of children requiring support, and the geographical location of the paying parent.
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