Child support substantially impacts the finances of both the paying and receiving parents. Both parents need to know when child support will end so they can plan accordingly.
The age of the child is a critical factor in determining when the support obligation ends, but other circumstances can have an impact. Speak with a New Canaan child support termination lawyer when you have questions about the duration of child support. A skilled child support attorney can review your situation and advise you on the best way to meet your goals.
Parents must support their children until they reach the age of majority or legal adulthood. In Connecticut, a child becomes a legal adult on their 18th birthday.
The obligation to pay child support typically ends when a child turns 18 if the child has graduated from high school. If the child is still attending high school when the child turns 18, the obligation continues until graduation or the child turns 19, whichever comes first.
Certain events can relieve a parent of the obligation to pay support sooner. If a child becomes emancipated and leaves their parent’s home, the obligation to pay support terminates. The obligation also ends if the child gets married or joins the military. Any parent whose minor child becomes emancipated, gets married, or enlists in the armed forces should consult a New Canaan attorney about formally terminating the child support obligation.
There are circumstances that can extend the obligation to pay child support. Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-84 says that when a child has a physical, intellectual, or mental health disability that makes them financially dependent on the custodial parent, the child support obligation can extend until the child reaches age 26.
Child support for children without disabilities could continue when the parents would have paid for a child’s post-secondary education if they had remained together. The court can issue an educational support order obligating the parents to contribute to the child’s tuition, books, living expenses, and health insurance while the child is pursuing an undergraduate degree. These orders apply only to undergraduate education and permanently terminate when the child turns 23, although parents can negotiate an extension.
If the child’s parents support them through an educational support order, they have numerous obligations. These include maintaining enrollment, earning passing grades, and sharing their grades with their parents. When a parent in New Canaan believes their child is not meeting these obligations, they should speak with an attorney about asking the court to terminate the support order.
Many child support orders contain a termination date when the obligation ends. After that date, the child support obligation is not legally enforceable. Paying parents who have set up automatic payments should take the necessary steps to ensure that payments cease on time.
When the child support order does not contain a definite end date or a parent wants to terminate support before the end date, the paying parent must ask the court to terminate the order. A New Canaan attorney can help a parent prepare the petition and supporting documentation asking for a child support termination order.
If there is a dispute about whether there is legal cause to terminate support, the court may hold a hearing to review the evidence.
The child support obligation typically extends until the child graduates high school or leaves the parental home. Sometimes, the obligation continues if the child has special needs or is pursuing higher education.
A New Canaan child support termination lawyer can advise a paying or receiving parent about whether the law supports the end of the obligation. Reach out today to get started.
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