Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

Re: Age Of Child Support

If there is no other time indicated in the child support order, child support stops when the child turns eighteen, or sooner if the child is married or determined to be emancipated (which means independent of the parents).

Re: Age Of Child Support

Child support is payable pursuant to the court order, or in the absence of a court order, depending upon what the parties have agreed to.

If the parties agree that no child support is to be paid after the child(ren) reach the age of 18, then this should be legally binding. However, any such agreement should be formally presented to and ratified by the court, i.e. by motion.

Disputes can arise where the child has reached 18 but is still dependent upon the custodial parent, i.e., a child who is attending college full-time. There may be an expectation by one of the parents that the other will pay for or contribute to the child's college expenses.

Even if such a committment has not been put in writing, a parent can claim that the other parent made oral promises to provide support beyond the age of 18, and that these promises were relied on by the custodial parent and child.

It is best to have an attorney who will represent your interests involved in the process at the earliest possible time. If the parties are in agreement, this agreement can be put in proper written form and filed with the court for ratification. If there is a dispute over what was agreed to, your attorney can help you resolve this dispute as quickly and efficiently as possible, or if necessary, file the appropriate motion to have the matter resolved by a judge.

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