Is it true that if a childdrops out of high school, you no longer have to pay child support? That is what I was told about 2yrs ago from Texas Child Support, so I proceeded to try to get the information that was needed, I then called CS back with i ...

Submitted by aaron94 on

Jurisdiction: 

Area of Law: 

Question: 

Is it true that if a child drops out of high school, you no longer have to pay child support? That is what I was told about 2yrs ago from Texas Child Support. I was also told that a document was signed where the non-custodial parent agrees to pay regular CS until the youngest of the children turns 18, which does not make sense. If the children have dropped out and either work full time or have kids of their own and no longer live with the custodial parent before they turn 18 is the non-custodial parent still obligated to pay regular child support? Can this money be applied toward the back-pay.

Selected Answer: 

According to the Texas Family

Submitted by elizabethcarlsen on

According to the Texas Family Code, your obligation to pay child support terminates when the child turns 18 years of age. However, if your child marries before the age of 18, enrolls in the military or is legally emancipated, you no longer have an obligation to pay child support. Whether your child is attending high school before turning 18 is not relevant. If the child is no longer living with the custodial parent, and moves in with a boyfriend or girlfriend, it is unclear if a court will enforce outstanding child support obligations. Therefore, consider contacting an attorney to discuss your situation. For more information about child support in your area, contact your local Child Support Office. For example, if you live in Dallas County, visit http://www.dallascounty.org/department/childsupport/faq-general.php. In addition, read http://www.freelegalaid.com/nav/texas/divorce-and-family-law/article/child-support-and-visitation-texas for general information about child support and visitation in Texas.

All Comments

According to the Texas Family

Submitted by elizabethcarlsen on

According to the Texas Family Code, your obligation to pay child support terminates when the child turns 18 years of age. However, if your child marries before the age of 18, enrolls in the military or is legally emancipated, you no longer have an obligation to pay child support. Whether your child is attending high school before turning 18 is not relevant. If the child is no longer living with the custodial parent, and moves in with a boyfriend or girlfriend, it is unclear if a court will enforce outstanding child support obligations. Therefore, consider contacting an attorney to discuss your situation. For more information about child support in your area, contact your local Child Support Office. For example, if you live in Dallas County, visit http://www.dallascounty.org/department/childsupport/faq-general.php. In addition, read http://www.freelegalaid.com/nav/texas/divorce-and-family-law/article/child-support-and-visitation-texas for general information about child support and visitation in Texas.