Indiana parents who share a child but have ended their relationship will undoubtedly be concerned about child support. This can be a contentious issue that leads to strife between them even if they are on relatively cordial terms. If the split was acrimonious, this is just another reason for which they may engage in various disagreements. One issue that is a frequent consideration is when the child support payments will stop. This impacts the custodial parent, the supporting parent and the child. Understanding the law for the termination of child support is important.
Knowing when child support will end
Separate from the child’s educational needs, the support will automatically stop when the child turns 19. However, there are factors that can terminate the child support earlier or require that it continue to be paid after the child turns 19. If the child is emancipated and deemed self-reliant before turning 19, the child support – except for educational costs – will stop. The court will determine if the educational needs must continue to be paid. The payments will continue beyond the 19th birthday if the child is incapacitated.
For children who are at least 18, have not been in a secondary or postsecondary educational institution in the previous four months, and are not enrolled in such a school while demonstrating the ability to support him or herself by working, the payments are not required to continue. Emancipation is contingent on several court findings including if he or she is capable of supporting or partially supporting themselves, is a member of the United States Armed Forces; has gotten married; or is no longer under the parents’ supervision or the supervision of a separate agency that has been approved by the court.
Having legal representation may be essential with family law cases
Child support often leads to dispute between the parents. While this may be related to the payments being made on time and in full; requests to modify the order from the perspective of the custodial parent or the paying parent; and delinquent payments, the termination of child support can also be part of the process. For this or anything else related to family law, an experienced legal professional can be helpful.
