Child support can be an important way for parents to ensure that their child has the financial support they need as they grow. However, parents may wonder how long this support will be a part of their financial life. What should parents know about when child support terminates in Texas?
When does child support end in most situations?
In Texas, a parent’s responsibility to pay child support generally ends on their child’s eighteenth birthday or when they graduate from high school, whichever occurs later. This means that if a child turns 18 before they have graduated from high school, the parent continues to owe support until the child graduates.
Are there exceptions?
While child support generally ends when a child turns 18, there are exceptions. These include:
- Disability: If a child has a physical or mental disability that requires ongoing care, child support payments may continue indefinitely. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and usually requires a court order.
- Emancipation of the minor child: If a child gets married, enlists or seeks a court order to become legally emancipated before they reach the age of 18, this may end the parent’s obligation to pay support.
- Death: Child support obligations end if the child or the parent responsible for the payments passes away.
- Mutual agreement: Parents may decide to extend child support after their child turns 18. For example, Texas law does not automatically extend child support obligations to cover college tuition or expenses. However, if both parties agree, they can arrange for extended support to cover higher education costs.
Understanding when child support payments end in Texas is crucial for both parents and their children. It is important for parents to be aware of these rules and exceptions to properly plan for their financial future and ensure the well-being of their children.