No, child support does not end automatically when a child turns 18. It may continue as long as the adult child is unable to support themselves, for example because they are studying or ill, and only a judgment or an agreement approved by the court can end or change it.
Here is what Quebec law provides for adult children: the criteria the courts apply, how support is calculated, who can apply for it and how to bring it to an end.
Does child support stop automatically at 18?
No. Reaching the age of majority does not, on its own, end child support. Until a judgment or a court-approved agreement changes it, support remains payable and Revenu Québec continues to collect it.
A parent who stops paying on their own initiative risks building up arrears, that is, all the missed payments. Revenu Québec has collection measures available, such as seizing property or applying the paying parent’s tax refund, and non-payment can also lead to contempt of court proceedings.
When is an adult child still entitled to support?
Parents have a support obligation toward their child, whether the child is a minor or an adult. An adult child may continue to receive support if they are not yet able to support themselves. There is no automatic rule: the court looks at each situation and considers, in particular:
- the child’s age and health;
- their academic results, the type of studies they are pursuing and their path so far;
- how serious their efforts are, including efforts to cover part of their own needs, for example through a part-time job;
- their income and expenses;
- each parent’s income and ability to pay;
- any help they already receive from other sources, such as student loans and bursaries, and whether it is enough to meet their needs.
Studies
Studies are the most common situation. A child enrolled in CEGEP or university may remain entitled to support, even if they work part time. Changing programs, dropping out or failing a course does not automatically end support, but the court may refuse support to a child who cannot settle on a program, repeatedly drops courses without reason or fails several times.
To keep things on track, the court may also limit the length of the support, for example until the end of the program in question, or impose conditions, such as providing proof of enrolment and transcripts.
Illness or disability
When an adult child is physically or mentally ill, or has a disability that prevents them from becoming self-sufficient, they are not expected to make the same efforts to support themselves. The parents’ support obligation may then continue well beyond the years of study.
When support may be refused
Entitlement to support can be challenged, in particular when the parent offers to house the child and meet their needs directly, when the child lives with a partner, when the claim seeks to fund expenses that do not reflect real needs, or when the child behaves in a seriously unacceptable way toward the parent. Each case is different and requires a judge’s assessment.
How is child support calculated for an adult child?
The calculation depends on who makes the claim.
When a parent makes the claim, the amount is generally calculated as for a minor child, using the Quebec model for the determination of child support payments or, in some divorce cases, the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Under the Quebec model, the court considers in particular the child’s age, health, level and type of studies, place of residence, degree of independence and income, and it may set an amount different from the one produced by the calculation.
When the child makes the claim, the child support tables do not apply, although they may serve as a reference. The court then relies on the child’s actual needs, their actual or potential employment income, and their parents’ financial situation.
In both cases, certain expenses, such as post-secondary education expenses, may be added to the basic contribution. To understand how the model works in general, read our article on calculating child support.
Who can apply for support: the parent or the child?
Two people can make the claim:
- one of the parents, usually the one the child lives with or who provides for the child’s needs, who then applies to the court against the other parent. In a divorce, the child must be a dependant of the applicant parent. Outside of divorce, the parent must provide at least in part for the child’s needs, and the child must not object to the claim;
- the adult child themselves, who may claim support from one or both parents, or intervene in their parents’ divorce proceedings.
How do you end or change child support?
If your child has become self-sufficient or their situation has changed, several options are available:
- reaching an agreement with the other parent and having it approved (homologated) by the court. The homologation assistance service (Service d’aide à l’homologation), offered at legal aid offices, can help parents who agree;
- applying to the court to cancel or reduce the support.
In every case, the adult child, who is directly affected, should be informed of the process and be able to present their point of view. The administrative child support recalculation service (SARPA), which allows certain support orders to be updated without going to court, applies to support for minor children: it cannot be used to end support for an adult child.
In the meantime, keep paying. It is wise to consult a lawyer as your child’s 18th birthday approaches, to assess whether they still need support and, if appropriate, take the necessary steps.
Frequently asked questions
Until what age must child support be paid in Quebec?
The law sets no age limit. It all depends on the child’s ability to support themselves. The court may, however, limit the length of support, for example until the end of a program of study.
My adult child works part time: do I have to keep paying?
In principle, yes. A part-time job during studies does not, on its own, end entitlement to support: it is actually one of the efforts expected of the child. Their income may, however, be taken into account and reduce the amount.
My child has dropped out of school: what should I do?
Dropping out may justify an application to cancel or vary the support, especially if the child becomes able to support themselves. Keep paying, however, until a court-approved agreement or a judgment changes the support.
Can I stop paying on my child’s 18th birthday?
No. Without a court-approved agreement or a judgment, support remains payable, and missed payments build up as arrears that Revenu Québec can collect.
Are the rules the same if we were not married?
Yes, in principle: the support obligation toward an adult child exists whether the parents were married, in a civil union or common-law partners. Only the conditions for a claim made by a parent differ slightly. To learn more about separation for unmarried parents, read our article on common-law partners in Quebec.
Review your adult child’s support
Should support be maintained, reduced or cancelled? The answer depends on your child’s specific situation and on each parent’s income. Our lawyers in Montreal and the West Island, at our Pointe-Claire office, can assess your case, negotiate an agreement with the other parent or represent you in court. Visit our family law page.
To discuss your situation, call Liverman Arrais at (438) 861-9500 or write to us using our contact form.
This article provides general legal information, current as of October 19, 2026, and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is different: consult a lawyer for advice tailored to yours.