Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: court ordered child support amount for child who has reached adulthood

Depends on what the order of child support says about post-secondary support - at least that's true here in WA.

Support on a CURRENT order can be modified if there is a substantial change of circumstances in the life of either party.

A significant increase in wages would be a basis to modify a CURRENT order.

If the order has by it's terms expired, there is nothing to modify.

If the obligor owes arrearages, each unpaid month of child support becomes a judgment, due and owing, accruing interest at 12% until paid in full.

But that's past due support. I don't think any court is going to retroactively modify a support obligation upwards after the child has reached their majority.

Hope this helps. Powell

Re: court ordered child support amount for child who has reached adulthood

In California child support cannot be changed after it becomes due. The only exception is when a motion is filed to modify child support. The court's jurisdiction to order child support ends when the child turns 18. The only exception is if the child is a full time high school student. Then support continues until the child either completes high school or turns 19.