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When parents of a child are married, the law would automatically assume that both parents gain parental rights. When a child’s parents aren’t married, however, the court would typically make it a point to order the non-custodial parent to make child support payments. These payments are directed to the custodial parent to assure the child has a proper lifestyle. These child support payments are made to ensure the child’s basic needs are covered such as food, shelter, and clothing.
If you’re making or receiving child support payments, you may sometimes wonder about the ending period of the payments. Typically, that depends on the laws of each state and the situation of the child. However, there are still certain guidelines that are offered to provide a basic idea of when the child support payments end.
Typically, child support orders are issued from the age of when the payment is established to the majority age of that child, which is 18 in most states. However, nearly all jurisdictions allow for child support payments to be made until the child has finished school. This applies as long as the child has graduated by the age of 19 or 20. It may vary according to the state you’re residing in.
What is emancipation?
In emancipation, the child is considered self-sufficient. This means that in this case that child is recognized and treated as an adult by law. In emancipation, the parents are no longer required to financially support the child.
Emancipation is a procedure that typically occurs by the age of eighteen. However, it could be later or earlier depending on the circumstances. In some cases, a child can file a petition for legal emancipation before the age of eighteen. This is generally done by child actors, entertainers, or when a child tries to escape an abusive home. In other times, if a child is suffering from a mental or physical disability, the court will find that the child cannot be self-sufficient by the age of eighteen. In this case, the parents are required to provide financial and medical support well above the age of eighteen.
Child support payments get terminated once the child is emancipated. This is done either by age or court order. When this happens, the parent who is non-custodial doesn’t have to pay child support to the custodial parent. Additionally, the custodial parent is also no longer required to support the child financially.
If you’re going through the process of child custody and child support and don’t know how it works, or where to start, the first thing to do is hire an attorney. An Orlando child custody attorney or child support attorney could help you determine the nature of your situation. Hiring a lawyer for your situation is essential to ensure that the entire process goes smoothly.
If you’re looking for the best Family Lawyer in Orlando, The Law Office of Erin Morse is here to help. We provide experienced, skilled, and professional attorneys to ensure that client cases go in the right path. Contact the Erin Morse Firm for your family law needs!