When Do Child Support Obligations End?

Posted on: 22 May 2020

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When it comes to child support obligations, a lot of parents assume that these obligations end as soon as the minor child reaches 18 years of age. In most cases, this is true. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule in which the child support obligations will extend into the adulthood of the child. Keep reading to learn more about how child support, the minor child's age, and parental obligations come together in terms of family law.

A High Schooler Who Is 18 Years Old

The majority of high school students will turn 18 years of age during their senior years of high school. Most child support agreements outline this particular situation in more detail. Generally, the parent who is required to pay child support will need to do so until the child has completed their senior year of high school, which is 12th grade, regardless of the child's age. In some instances, the child support agreement may specifically state that the parent must continue paying child support until the child turns 19 years of age, which would ensure that the child's high school years are completely covered.

A Disabled Adult Child

When there is a disabled child involved, things can get a bit tricky. For example, when a disabled child reaches the age of 18, he or she may still require a considerable amount of care in order to simply meet the demands of day-to-day living. For a single parent, this can be a significant financial burden, and this is recognized by the law. Generally, a child support agreement that involves a disabled child will consist of continuous financial support even after the child reaches adulthood.

Special Circumstances

There are some instances in which the parents come up with their own child support agreement for the best interests of the child. For instance, the two parents may come up with an agreement that financial support will continue for the child until he or she graduates from college, as this will help to take a financial burden off of the child's shoulders. Because this is a special circumstance, both parents have to agree to the terms before the order can be official.

Any aspect of family law can be complicated, but when it comes to child support, you want to make sure to get things right. For help drafting a child support agreement or if you have questions regarding your current agreement, get in touch with a family law lawyer today.