Austin Child Support Termination Lawyer

It is a common misconception that child support obligations end the moment someone reaches the age of 18. In many cases, payments must continue even after they have reached the age of majority. There are also limited grounds for early termination to consider.

If you are hoping to end these payments, an Austin child support termination lawyer could help. While this option is not always available, it is vital to seek counsel from an attorney to ensure the court orders are followed every step of the way.

How Long Does Child Support Last?

The standard rule for child support is that parents are required to continue payments until the child reaches the age of 18, with the only exception being when they are still in high school. In that scenario, payments will continue until they graduate.

Grounds for Early Termination

There are certain situations where it is possible to end child support obligations early, but it requires Austin court approval and there must be certain grounds to qualify. Some of the reasons for early termination are easy to understand, like when a child passes away before they reach the age of majority.

One of the most common reasons occurs when a child becomes emancipated. An emancipated child is no longer treated as a juvenile under the law. They are allowed to manage their own affairs and live independently. There are three ways to obtain this status:

  • Get married
  • Join the military
  • Emancipated by the court to live free from parental control

There are also some less common grounds that are recognized under the law, such as a paying parent who is in a medical crisis and facing a potentially fatal illness or if a parent learns they are not the child’s biological parent.

Discuss Child Support Termination With an Austin Attorney Today

While the obligation to provide child support will generally run until at least a child turns 18, there are some limited situations where early termination is possible. Talk to an Austin child support lawyer to learn about your options.