Child support obligations generally terminate, as provided by the child support order from the court, when the child reaches the age of majority (18 in most states). If a parent is obligated to pay child support and the child becomes emancipated before reaching the age of majority in the state (usually 18), the parent may no longer have to pay child support. But the child support obligation in this circumstance does not terminate automatically, and the parent generally must seek an order terminating the support obligation from the court that issued the child support order. And if the child has special needs (health care, living, education), the parent may be required to pay child support even after the child reaches the age of majority or is emancipated.
In Texas, child support obligations typically end when the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. However, if a child becomes emancipated before reaching the age of majority, the parent's obligation to pay child support does not automatically end. The parent must go to court to seek an order terminating the child support. Emancipation can occur through marriage, enlistment in the armed forces, or by court order. Additionally, if the child has special needs, Texas law may require the parent to continue paying child support beyond the age of majority. This extended support is to ensure that the child's health care, living, and educational needs are met. Parents with a child support obligation should consult with an attorney to understand their rights and responsibilities in cases of emancipation or when supporting a child with special needs.
