# When does Child support end? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 10, 2008, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009 "2008-07-10T17:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/1 "2008-07-10T17:51:32Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/2 "2008-07-10T17:56:30Z")
When she reaches 18 or graduates from college, whichever comes first. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/3 "2008-07-10T17:57:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/4 "2008-07-10T18:00:06Z")
Varies among jurisdictions. Charts: [http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/educate.htm](http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/educate.htm) [http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/adultsupport.htm](http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/adultsupport.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/5 "2008-07-10T18:03:12Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] And, does this have to be validated by the family court? [/QUOTE] 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](http://www.courts.mo.gov/file/CS%2095%20Affidavit%20for%20Termination%20of%20Child%20Support_1.pdf) [http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/forms/pdf/SCCA441.pdf](http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/forms/pdf/SCCA441.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/6 "2008-07-10T18:03:49Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/7 "2008-07-10T18:11:07Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/8 "2008-07-10T19:26:14Z")
[QUOTE=plnnr] 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. [/QUOTE] Really? If they graduate from high school at 16, they get no more support? But they’re still a minor. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/9 "2008-07-10T20:18:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/10 "2008-07-10T20:32:46Z")
[QUOTE=Litoris] 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. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/11 "2008-07-11T02:22:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/12 "2008-07-11T02:33:22Z")
[QUOTE=gravitycrash] 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. [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > Mo. R. Civ. Pro. 88.01; Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.340.5 provides that if the child is enrolled in an institution of higher education, the parental support obligation shall continue until the child completes his education or until the child reaches the age of 22, whichever occurs first. [http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/educate.htm](http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/educate.htm) ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/13 "2008-07-11T03:01:11Z")
Thanks \*\* Gfactor \*\* Its good to know I wasn’t completely screwed in the divorce settlement. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/14 "2008-07-11T03:03:18Z")
[QUOTE=gravitycrash] Thanks \*\* Gfactor \*\* Its good to know I wasn’t completely screwed in the divorce settlement. [/QUOTE] That makes one of us! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/15 "2008-07-11T03:27:44Z")
The OP obviously hasn’t listened to enough [Kanye](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Golddigger-lyrics-Kanye-West/455A56FFA5F48AFA482570560053ED5E) > [@](#): > > 18 years, 18 years > She got one of yo’ kids, got you for 18 years > I know somebody payin’ child support for one of his kids > His baby momma’s car crib is bigger than his > You will see him on TV, any given Sunday > Win the Superbowl and drive off in a Hyundai > She was supposed to buy ya shorty Tyco with ya money > She went to the doctor got lipo with ya money > She walkin’ around lookin’ like Michael with ya money > Shoulda’ got that insured, GEICO for ya moneeey(your money) > If you ain’t no punk holla’ we want pre-nup > WE WANT PRE-NUP!, yeah > It’s something that you need to have > ‘Cause when she leave yo’ ass she gon’ leave with half > 18 years, 18 years > And on her 18th birthday, he found out it wasn’t his? ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/16 "2008-07-11T04:12:45Z")
[QUOTE=Litoris] 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. [/QUOTE] If you never went through the court, he can stop paying you tomorrow if he wants. ---
**Author:** ![PBear42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/17 "2008-07-11T05:36:46Z")
But, relief through the courts would still be available. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/18 "2008-07-11T17:02:32Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/19 "2008-07-11T18:45:26Z")
[QUOTE=Tom Tildrum] 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? [/QUOTE] Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009/20 "2008-07-12T09:33:29Z")
[QUOTE=Tom Tildrum] 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? [/QUOTE] 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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-child-support-end/456009.md?page=2)