As a family law attorney practicing in Georgia, I frequently encounter inquiries about the conclusion of child support obligations when children reach adulthood. Generally in a divorce, legitimation, or paternity action with minor children, the noncustodial parent is ordered to pay child support to the custodial parent until a child reaches the age of 18 and graduates from secondary school (high school), marries, becomes emancipated, or joins the military, provided that such financial assistance shall not be required after a child attains 20 years of age.
The provisions for child support may be enforced by either parent, by any non-parent custodian, by a guardian appointed to receive child support for the child for whose benefit the child support is ordered, or by the child for whose benefit the child support is ordered.
So When My Children Age Out Do I Simply Stop Paying?
The answer is a definite maybe. If any of the above factors exist, you may not be able to terminate your payments without petitioning the court. If you have more than one child for which you are paying child support, you may need to go to court to modify your child support order when a child ages out of the child support obligation. Further, you may have something called a group award that requires you to continue to pay the same child support until the youngest child ages out.
The Role of a Family Law Attorney
If you have any inquiries or require assistance with your child support case, please contact our office. Our objective at Debranski & Associates is to help you navigate the intricacies of family law and guarantee that your rights and obligations are clearly understood.
By staying well-informed and proactive, you can effectively manage the changes that accompany the conclusion of child support and continue to support your children’s journey into adulthood.