Parents paying child support in Florida often wonder when they’ll stop making these payments. Understanding this timeline is particularly important to aid one’s financial plans and budget. The obligation to pay child support in Florida ends when a child reaches 18. This is considered the age of majority, where a child transitions from childhood to adulthood. However, some exceptions may require you to continue paying child support even after your child turns 18.
Child Support Ending at Age 18 in Florida
The Florida statute governing child support states that obligations generally end when a child reaches 18. Florida child support orders signed before October 2010 didn’t have a specific end date; parents had to return to court to request that the payments stop. However, current laws indicate the end date of child support. When the termination date arrives, the clerk of the court that ordered child support is supposed to notify the collection agency.
It’s worth noting that child support may end if a child is emancipated before 18, such as by marrying, joining the military, or attaining financial independence through other means.
Florida Child Support Ending at 19
Florida law has a provision that extends child support payments until a child reaches the age of 19. This applies when your child hasn’t graduated high school by their 18th birthday, so child support will continue until graduation. If the kid graduates from high school after turning 18 but before they reach 19 years, child support ends on graduation day. However, if there is no reasonable expectation that your child will graduate before reaching 19 years, child support may be terminated earlier, that is, on their 18th birthday.
Child Support May Continue After the Age of 18 or Even for a Lifetime
Your obligation to pay child support may continue even after your child turns 18. For instance, if you have unpaid child support, you are legally obligated to pay that debt. The Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program helps enforce and collect overdue child support payments.
Additionally, Fla. Stat. § 743.07(2) states that child support in Florida may extend past age 18 and even for a lifetime if a child has a mental or physical disability that prevents them from becoming self-sufficient. However, the child must have developed the disability before turning 18. To secure extended child support based on special needs, you need to address the special needs status in the original child support order or through a modification order before the child’s 18th birthday. If you miss this and child support ends, the case cannot be reopened to request continuation, even if dependency persists.
Can Child Support Continue Through College?
Florida courts have ruled that the law doesn’t prohibit child support orders extending post-high school to cover college expenses. However, courts typically will not mandate such support against a parent’s wishes unless the child is deemed genuinely dependent on their parents. Simply enrolling in college is insufficient to establish actual dependency. If you are in such a situation, working with the other parent to agree on a support agreement that includes post-high school costs is best.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you have further questions on child support in Florida, contact our experienced child support attorney at Tampa Bay Legal Center, P.A., today for expert guidance.
