The law regarding the age at which child support gets terminated varies from state to state. In Pennsylvania, child support will end at 18 for most noncustodial parents. However, this is not always true as varying circumstances can impact a court’s decision. Speak with a York County, PA child support attorney to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a parent.
What is the Child Support Requirement?
Child support is the financial obligation that a noncustodial parent has to their child. When a couple gets divorced the parent who does not spend as much time with custody of the child must pay a monthly amount to the custodial parent as a way to financially contribute to the child’s growth and development.
Child support requirements are generally based on a percentage of income as well as the child’s needs. Generally, parents are required to financially support their children as long as they are minors. However, state laws vary.
Does Child Support End at 18 in PA?
In the United States, the law regarding how long a noncustodial parent is required to pay child support varies from state to state. In general, states dictate that the obligation expires anywhere from the child’s 18th to 21st birthday.
Pennsylvania law is on the lower end of that spectrum, terminating the legal requirement for child support on the day the child turns 18 or upon their highschool graduation, whichever comes later. 18 years old is commonly referred to as the “age of maturity” and under PA state law, children become adults and should be able to financially support themselves without the requirement of child support from their parents.
When Can Child Support End Early?
A court may decide that a noncustodial parent no longer has to pay child support under a few circumstances. Though it is not immediate, if any of the following applies their obligation may be terminated.
- The child joins the military before turning 18 or graduating from high school
- The child leaves their parent’s home and begins supporting themselves or petitions a court for emancipation before turning 18 or graduating from high school
- The child gets married before graduating from high school (note that minors under the age of 18 cannot get married in Pennsylvania, even with parental consent)
Any of the above can lead a court to consider the child emancipated. Just because a child gets emancipated early does not inherently mean that the child support obligation will end, but it may.
When Can Child Support Be Extended?
While certain circumstances can result in child support ending early, others will result in an extension. If the child has special needs, as in a physical or mental disability that prevents them from becoming self-supporting, a court may order the continuation of child support. It could extend to age 21 or indefinitely depending on the situation.
Additionally, if the child pursues higher education after high school a court may require both parents to continue financial support until age 23 or until the child graduates with their degree. Every family is unique so there is no telling exactly when parents can cease financial support for their children. Reach out to a family law attorney for more information.
