Does it end when:
-the child reaches the age of 21?
-the child moves out of the parent’s home?
-the child finishes college/
-the child has children of its own?
And, does this have to be validated by the family court?
When she reaches 18 or graduates from college, whichever comes first.
Oops - that should be graduates from high school.
I believe the exact terms are up to the parents. The above is only with regard to my situation.
Varies among jurisdictions. Charts:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/educate.htm
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/adultsupport.htm
Typically it does. Here are a couple of examples of termination forms:
http://www.courts.mo.gov/file/CS%2095%20Affidavit%20for%20Termination%20of%20Child%20Support_1.pdf
State law governs. If you or a RL acquaintance have a specific issue to pursue, you should consult a Massachusetts attorney experienced in family law.
In general:
A non-custodial parent is responsible for child support until:
- the child turns 18 and is not continuing his/her education;
- the 18-year-old completes high school with no plans for college;
- the young adult graduates from college; or
- the young adult in college turns 22.
A custodial parent is responsible for providing support to a child until:
- the child turns 18;
- the child becomes an emancipated minor; or
- the child intentionally and permanently leaves the parent’s home without good cause abd refuses to return. (For a variety of reasons, courts are divided on this point.)
The above constitutes a set of broad generalizations, valid in many places, that may very well not be true in any given jurisdiction.
In Colorado (according to my ex-wife’s lawyer): “19 years, or the month following high school graduation, if the child is still in school at 19.”
Really? If they graduate from high school at 16, they get no more support? But they’re still a minor.
Wow. I never had any idea that child support would continue through college. I assumed (although my ex and I have never talked about it) that he would just stop sending me payments when our daughter turns 18. FWIW, our agreement is purely friendly, never went through the courts.
About half of the states don’t permit it. In some others, its up to the judge, or it’s considered a different kind of support. OTOH, some jurisdictions extend support beyond 18, regardless of whether the kid is still in school. For example, according to the chart that I linked to, child support in D.C. continues while the child is a minor, and the age of majority is 21.
I reread my divorce decree just recently and it clearly states that I’m obligated to pay half of my daughters college tuition as long as she maintains a 3.0 grade point average.
Which is not a problem since I was prepared to pay anyway. I’m sure other states have varying rules regarding 18 and above.
Thanks ** Gfactor ** Its good to know I wasn’t completely screwed in the divorce settlement.
That makes one of us! 
The OP obviously hasn’t listened to enough Kanye
If you never went through the court, he can stop paying you tomorrow if he wants.
But, relief through the courts would still be available.
If the non-custodial parent is in arrears on child support, that back money can still be collected even after the child turns 18, right? Even though the money would presumably now be going to someone who is no longer a minor?
Yes.
Absolutely.
When I worked with Child Support Enforcement, we had a system that matched the state death reports to our list of delinquent payers. When we found a match, an employee filed a claim against the persons’ estate. So even death did not let you escape your obligation to support the child you created.
We had cases where the ‘child’ was retired & receiving Social Security checks when we finally collected the past-due child support.