What is a Dependent Child?

“Dependent children” means a child below the age of 18 years. Sometimes, an individual is still considered a dependent even after the age of 18. However, a child cannot be regarded as a dependent if they are married. Further, a child who leaves a parent’s home voluntarily after turning 16 years old does not fall under the category of a dependent.

When Your Child Chooses To Not Live With You

If a child chooses to not live in their parent’s home or decide not to follow the rules set out by the parents, this means they have “withdrawn from parental control.”

A Child's Voluntary Choice

This decision must be decided by the child alone and the parents cannot force or coerce the child to leave a home. A withdrawal will not be considered voluntary in the following circumstances:

When the parents forcefully removes the child out of their homes
When there are demeaning living conditions that affects the child and the child is left with no other option than to leave their home.

In these situations, the paying parent is still required to pay child support even if the child voluntarily leaves the home.