Child support typically ends when the child becomes an adult. However, there are many different situations in which child support payments are extended past a child’s 18th birthday. For example, a parent may be asked to continue providing support during a child's college education. Child support may also be extended because a child is disabled.
Child Support When a Child Turns 18 Before Graduating High School
The most common reason that child support is extended beyond a child's 18th birthday is that the child has not graduated high school yet. The law recognizes that high schoolers still need support and that many high schoolers turn 18 before graduating. Child support continues until the child graduates from high school or turns 19 years old, whichever happens first.
Financial Support for Disabled Children
Once a child is an adult, he or she is expected to be financially self-sufficient. However, children with significant disabilities may not be able to reach this level of financial independence, even once they are an adult. Consequently, child support may be extended beyond a child's 18th or 19th birthday if the child is disabled. Qualifying disabilities may be physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or serious mental health problems.
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