How long do you have to pay child support?

Child Support | If you have minor children, most divorce cases will involve child support payments that go directly to benefit the children’s necessities such as food, clothing, child care or medical bills. While these payments are meant to benefit the child directly until they are grown, there are several instances where child support payments will stop. A family lawyer for men can provide guidelines and expectations as to your payment schedule.

Most commonly, once a child turns 18 they are considered a legal adult and are no longer supported by payments from the spouse. However, if the child turns 18 and has not graduated high school, child support payments will continue until they graduate. If your child will by 19 when they graduate high school, payments will more than likely stop at the age of 18.

As with many laws, there are exceptions to this. If your child has special needs or is disabled, child support will continue for the rest of their lifetime. Consult the advice of family lawyer for men who can offer planning strategies for a divorce involving children with special needs.

There are several loopholes that are involved with child support payments. For example, if your child enlists in the military or gets married, you are no longer obligated to pay. To the court, both situations warrant the end of childhood and an entry into adulthood.

It’s important to understand that failure to pay child support can result in severe consequences, including wage garnishment and even jail time. If you believe you’re qualified for a modification in child support, it’s important to speak with a family lawyer for men.

Like many legal questions, each situation warrants a different answer as to when child support payments will stop. Contact the law offices of In Law We Trust for answers to all your child support questions..