Gurtej Sandhu – What are the Farden Factors? Published September 12, 2025.
In British Columbia, child support usually ends when a child reaches 19 years of age. However, the child can still be dependent on their parents due to a number of reasons such as illness, disability, pursuit of post-secondary education or other significant reasons.
In this post, we look at support for a child pursuing post-secondary education. To see if a child should continue to get support while pursuing post-secondary education, the court considers if the child’s educational pursuits are reasonable. If they are found to be reasonable, the court then considers if it is appropriate for the parents to support the child’s education.
In the famous Supreme Court of British Columbia case of Farden v. Farden in 1993, Master (as Associate Judges were called then) Joyce set out some factors to consider whether a child’s educational pursuits are reasonable. These “Farden Factors” are as follows:
- 1. whether the child is in fact enrolled in a program and whether it is a full-time or part-time program;
- 2. whether the child has applied for or is eligible for student loans or other financial assistance;
- 3. the career plans of the child, i.e. whether the child has some reasonable and appropriate plan or is simply going to college because there is nothing better to do;
- 4. the ability of the child to contribute to his own support through part-time employment;
- 5. the age of the child;
- 6. the child’s past academic performance, whether the child is demonstrating success in the chosen course of studies;
- 7. what plans the parents made for the education of their children, particularly where those plans were made when the family was together; and
- 8. at least in the case of a mature child who has reached the age of majority, whether or not the child has unilaterally terminated a relationship from the parent from whom support is sought.
The courts apply the Farden Factors on a case-by-case basis to see if an adult child is entitled to continued child support. These factors apply to different cases differently depending upon which factors are relevant and how important each factor is in a particular case.
If the court is satisfied that an adult child should be supported by their parents, it will then determine the amount of child support that should be paid. This is again on a case-by-case basis, but generally depends on if the adult child’s circumstances resemble those of a minor living at home or not.
Applying the above Farden Factors to your own child’s particular set of circumstances and then, if applicable, calculating an appropriate amount of support can be tricky and complex. If you find yourself in a similar situation, one of our lawyers at Portside law would be happy to assist.
Disclaimer – By contacting Portside Law Corporation through email, phone or direct message does not establish an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is formed once both parties agree in writing to such a relationship. The information found in this document is of general nature and is not intended to be legal advice. Please contact our office to speak further about any particular legal question you may have.