When parents file for divorce in Florida, the child will primarily live with one parent (i.e., custodial parent) and the other (i.e., noncustodial parent) will be responsible for paying child support, which is designed to financially provide for the child’s expenses, such as food, shelter, educational, medical, etc.
However, making child support payments every month—year after year—can take a financial toll, which is why many noncustodial parents wonder when will it end. The answer depends on your specific situation.
When Does Child Support End in Florida?
In Florida, child support generally ends in Florida when the child reaches 18 years old. Yet, if a child turns 18 but is still a high school student, the child support order will end when the child either graduates high school or reaches 19 years of age, whichever occurs sooner.
Child Support Continuing After Age 19
If both parents agree, child support may continue until a child graduates college or any other form of higher education, or until he/she reaches 21 or 22 years of age. Yet, most courts will not order such support if one parent doesn’t agree unless the judge determines the child actually dependent on the parents.
On the other hand, if a child has special needs and will never be able to independently support themselves when he/she adulthood, then the child support order may last for the child’s entire life. The special needs situation must be documented and approved either in the final order or when the order is modified before the child turns 18.
Child Support Ending Before Age 18
The noncustodial parent may terminate child support before a child turns 18 years old, if one of the following circumstances is true:
The child gets married
The child enlists in the U.S. military
The child is emancipated or becomes self-supporting
The child dies
Does Child Support End Automatically?
No. The Department of Revenue (DOR) will continue to enforce a paying parent’s child support obligation until he/she files a “motion to terminate child support.” If a parent’s payments are made through a DOR-imposed wage deduction, he/she must file a “motion to vacate the income deduction order.”
If you are interested in child support modification or termination in Altamonte Springs, call the Law Office of Russell S. Hershkowitz, L.L.C. at (407) 753-4111 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation. Serving clients throughout Central Florida for more than 25 years.