Legal Question in Family Law in California
In the state of CA, once a child turns 18 and heads off to college, what is the fathers role? does he still pay child suport?
3 Answers from Attorneys
No. By law child support ends when the child turns 18 AND is no longer a full time student in high school or equivalent; OR when the child turns 19, whichever comes first. So for example, my son was born in March. My child support obligations ended when he graduated in June of the year he turned 18. I had a client who's daughter dropped out of high school when she was still 17. Child support ended on the child's 18th birthday. If someone's child is held back a year, and turns 19 during their senior year of high school, child support ends on the 19th birthday.
Once the child turns 18 and is out of high school, the obligation for support ceases.