A court order or a domestic contract may specify when the payor no longer has to pay support.

For example, the court documents may say that support payments can end:

• on a specific calendar date, or
• with certain events (for example, a child finishing or leaving school or a former spouse remarrying). (These are called terminating events.)

However, the laws in Ontario do not provide for an automatic end to support payments for children or spouses (for example, when a child turns 18).

The Family Responsibility Office cannot decide when support has ended. Nor can we change the terms of a support order or domestic contract.

Both the support payor and the support recipient must agree when support ends. If they can't come to an agreement, they may have to go to court and have a judge decide.

When we stop enforcing a court order or domestic contract

When a support payor tells us that support payments have ended, we send a letter to the support recipient for confirmation.

If the support recipient:

• agrees in writing that the support has ended, we will usually stop enforcement
• denies that support has ended, we will continue to enforce the support order, or
• does not answer our letter, we can stop enforcing the support payments, however, support may continue when the recipient does respond.

We will continue to collect support payments, if there are:

• other dependants on the court order, or
• any outstanding support payments owing to the support recipient.
  

When a support order has been assigned to a social services agency

If a support order has been assigned to a social services agency, such as Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, the agency must also agree to end support payments, even if the payor and the recipient agree that support has ended, we cannot end enforcement without the agency's consent.

If the agency does not consent, the payor and the recipient must go to court to have the order changed.

Where to get legal advice

Lawyer Referral Service

• operated by the Law Society of Upper Canada
• provides a free half-hour legal consultation
• In Ontario, call 1-900-565-4577.
  

Legal Aid Ontario

• Toronto : 416-979-1446
• Toll free : 1-800-668-8258

Family Law Information Centres

• Located in provincial courts across Ontario
• Visit the website of the Ministry of the Attorney General to find a Family Law Information Centre in your area.

 

Learn More Read our Fact Sheet: Information on Ending Support Payments