Payments of child support generally stop once a child turns 18, however parents can still be liable to provide financial support to a child who is over 18 years old.
A Court will make an order for adult child maintenance if they are satisfied that the maintenance is necessary to enable the child to complete their education, or because of a mental or physical disability of the child.
It is important to keep in mind that the court must be satisfied that the maintenance is ‘reasonable’.
Before making an order for adult child maintenance, the Court must be satisfied that the parent has the financial capacity to continue to support their child. The adult child’s ability to support themselves will be considered and balanced against the necessity for maintenance.