You are currently browsing the Springfield Divorce Law - Blog weblog archives for December, 2007.
7. December 2007 by amills.
When a non-custodial parent is ordered to pay child support, that obligation does end, eventually. In general, the obligation to pay child support will end when the child: 1) dies, 2) marries, 3) enters active military duty, 4) becomes self –sufficient, or 5) reaches the age of 18 and does not continue his/her education full-time. In any event, the obligation to pay child support ends at age 21.
With regard to education, a parent’s obligation to pay child support continues so long as the child is enrolled full time in a post-secondary educational program. The child must be enrolled at least 12 hours per semester, and must be able to provide proof of the enrollment. A post-secondary program includes college as well as technical or vocational school. If the child takes off even one semester, the obligation to pay child-support ends, permanently.
The Missouri legislature recently changed the law to say the obligation to pay child support ends when the child reaches 21, regardless of their status in school.
A person should always consult with an attorney, before terminating child support on his or her own, to ensure some special circumstance does not apply.
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