Child support in Texas is generally ordered until the covered child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school. Whichever occurs later typically ends the child support obligation for that child. There are, however, exceptions based on extraordinary circumstances or legally binding prenuptial or postnuptial agreements that address the duration of child support. Resolve your child support concerns by consulting with an experienced San Antonio child support attorney at Cook Law Firm today.
The Child Ages Out
Child support is intended to provide financial support for children until they reach age 18 or graduate from high school. When a child graduates from high school at 17, the child support obligation continues until they turn 18. When a child turns 18 while in high school, the child support obligation continues until graduation; whichever occurs later determines the end of child support for the child.
When Child Support Is Abbreviated
There are limited circumstances under which child support may not continue until the covered child graduates from high school or turns 18. These include various forms of emancipation, which can be achieved in several ways, including the following:
- If the covered child marries
- When the covered child joins the military
- If the covered child obtains legal emancipation through the court
The death of a covered child or of the paying parent also ends the child support obligation.
When Child Support Is Extended
There are also instances when child support is extended beyond the usual parameters. In fact, child support can be ordered for an indefinite period in response to a disability. When a child becomes disabled to the point that they require significant care and supervision before turning 18, the child support obligation may have no end date. This can mean that child support will continue until the paying parent’s death.
Legally Binding Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements
When a couple has a legally binding prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that addresses child support exceeding state guidelines, the terms will be upheld. Often, these agreements address the expenses associated with higher education for the shared children involved.
Child support in Texas does not cover the cost of a child’s college education. Parents, however, can establish related terms between themselves, and when they include those terms in contracts, they can expect them to prevail.
Reach Out to an Experienced Child Support Lawyer for the Help You Need
The practiced San Antonio child support attorneys at Cook Law Firm have more than a decade of experience successfully guiding challenging child support cases toward optimal outcomes that honor the rights of our clients and their children. We welcome the opportunity to serve you further and encourage you to contact us online or call 210-740-0281 today for more information.