Since when is child support until 21?

MayaBunnyM00n · 2026-07-08T13:37:52+00:00

I'd definately get a second opinion before agreeing to anything. Bardol Law has experiance with Missouri family law and may be worth contacting

RespectInevitable479 · 2026-05-28T17:11:57+00:00

NY is 21 no matter what and NJ is 23 if in school. I’ve chosen to have no kids. Can’t lose if you don’t play

QuietlyLucky · 2026-05-27T17:51:17+00:00

I had this in my support order since 2003, if she went to college, I had to pay.

pk2at · 2026-05-27T15:57:28+00:00

The penalties don't apply after 18. Tell them you will only pay till 18 and they can go to court beyond that. Of course, this assumes you are ready to fight

NilesGuy · 2026-05-27T14:27:17+00:00

In Missouri, child support is generally required until a child turns 18 years old. However, under Missouri law, support can continue until age 21 in certain situations. The main statute is Missouri Revised Statutes § 452.340.
Key rules:
Ends at 18 if the child has graduated high school and is not continuing education.
If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues until graduation or age 21, whichever comes first.
If the child enrolls in college, vocational school, or higher education by October 1 after high school graduation, support may continue until:

completion of education, or
age 21,
whichever happens first. The student must generally carry at least 12 credit hours and provide grades/transcripts to both parents.
Support can continue beyond 21 for a child who is physically or mentally disabled and unable to support themselves.

Other events that can end support earlier include:
marriage,
military service,
death,
or becoming financially independent.

Grafixx5 · 2026-05-27T14:20:29+00:00

It probably has been being implemented because of the medical as well, being that a child can stay on the parents medical until 26.

I know where I’m at (SE USA), they said CS is until 19.

To which I said why 19? They said that’s when the state says you’re an adult. I said so why do you let them drive at 15, vote and buy guns at 18 then?

upvotersfortruth · 2026-05-27T14:12:40+00:00

Buy him a killer ride in exchange for him emancipating

malsell · 2026-05-27T13:52:24+00:00

It is different state to state. I have seen some states that have it up to 26.

47omek · 2026-05-27T13:22:54+00:00

It's 18 in Texas or 19 if they haven't graduated HS yet. No college requirement - so Texas dads going through divorce DO NOT get talked into including any college provisions in your divorce decree. What you pay for college and post-HS support is between you and your adult child, not the state nor your greedy leech of an ex-wife. Unfortunately it looks like Missouri is one of those dumbass states that love continuing the wealth transfers from men to women for as long as they can get away with. It's ridiculous that married parents are under ZERO obligation to pay for college or continue support of an adult after 18 yet divorced parents - and lets be real here, it's 98% dads - are forced by the state with threat of incarceration to do so.

No-Tomorrow8150 · 2026-05-27T13:21:29+00:00

Where I live Child Support and post secondary education support are two different things.

PghSubie · 2026-05-27T12:46:45+00:00

So, they want you to support your child into oost-secondary education. Sounds horrific. But, if that's what the judges in your county/state want, then that's that. Your lawyer will be a better legal counsel than this sub

ChiefsGuy2014 · 2026-05-27T11:39:59+00:00

Yes, to pay my exwife child support for a child that does not live in her household (assuming they’re living in dorms) is absolutely crazy. I would help my child directly if they needed, which you’ll probably still do, on top paying my ex money for someone who’s no longer in her (or mine) household.

Susiesunflower72 · 2026-05-27T11:18:02+00:00

So are you saying “you’re 18 now I’m done with you and don’t want to support you” or is it that you don’t want the ex to have the money? I understand not wanting the ex to have it but why would you not want to help your kid who at 18 will be freshly starting their adult life with nothing?

FUMoney · 2026-05-27T06:26:27+00:00

Link.

UnknownUsername113 · 2026-05-27T04:05:09+00:00

Look at it this way:

If you stayed with your wife then you’d both be paying for it, right? I think most parents want to help their kids with school.

This just puts it in writing so that you don’t decide not to pay.

UrAristotle · 2026-05-27T03:56:24+00:00

I read somewhere that when we were kids college was the first thing we did as adults. For today’s generation, it’s the last thing they do as children.

Seems that has made it into the legal system.

ThrowForChristSakes · 2026-05-27T03:54:59+00:00

NYS child support can be mandated by the court up to age 26 if child is special needs.

cschoonmaker · 2026-05-27T02:59:34+00:00

Yikes even CA is 18. Well 18 and graduated from HS. If both conditions aren't met then it goes to 19.

northdakotact · 2026-05-27T02:51:20+00:00

Nj goes up to 23 if they are in college. Don't ask me how i know

Rare_Psychology_8853 · 2026-05-27T02:49:46+00:00

Interesting. I’m curious what other people know and whether there’s ever any sympathetic or justifiable reason for this.

I know a family friend who was unable to get any financial aid due to his father making big bucks. The twist was his father was never around much in his life, refused to pay a dime for college, and his mom worked as a medical assistant, didn’t make much, and couldn’t afford to help him. So that sucked for him, he didn’t even want his dad to pay for his college, he just wanted to be able to get aid based on his moms income. It’s one of those dumb things. If you have to pay it after 18, it should go to whatever you say it goes to IMO. Like pay it directly to the college, don’t deposit it into his account so he can spend it on condoms and beer lol.

BloodstainedBearRug · 2026-05-27T02:46:48+00:00

I'd refuse to sign anything like that. Tell your lawyer if its not the LAW you aren't agreeing to it, then fight it forever.

One-Specialist-4983 · 2026-05-27T02:46:31+00:00

In NY it is until 21 unless full time working, enlists or moves out of the house

Title	Since when is child support until 21?
Author	exhausted_husband25
Upvotes	25
Comments	40
Date	May 27, 2026 2:42 AM UTC (2 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1tosj4i/since_when_is_child_support_until_21/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/since-when-is-child-support-until-21.1581354 https://theredarchive.com/post/1581354

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