Does child support terminate when the child reaches the age of 18?
Not necessarily. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, emancipation of a child usually terminates the child support obligation. Emancipation generally occurs when the child reaches majority and has completed his or her education, marries, is self-supporting living on his or her own, or joins the military, and can sometimes occur before the age of 18. The termination may no be automatic, and the duty to support may continue beyond emancipation unless and until an order is entered by the court. In some instances adult children (over the age of 18) have the right to continued support for education, to finish high school and attend college or trade school, including education expenses, or if they suffer some impairment as a result of which they cannot support themselves. Educational expenses may include, but are not be limited to, room, board, dues, tuition, transportation, books, fees, registration and application costs, medical expenses including medical insurance, dental expen
