Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland
Child Support Terminates at Emancipation
My divorce decree states that child support continues until my child 1)turns 21 2)becomes otherwise emancipated, 3)marries, 4)completes a post-high school course of study or 5)dies. She is turning 18, and not continuing her education. She has a profession of which she will be receiving full time employment. Her job also will supply health insurance. Does this satisfy number 2-otherwise emancipated? Should we terminate support when she begins working full time and reaches the age of 18. (She is now working full time but only 17, and it is the same employer.)
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Child Support Terminates at Emancipation
Yes, the full time employment with the benefits probably does constitute emancipation, unless she is earning so little that she cannot support herself. If she is still living under a parent's roof and is dependent in significant ways on a parent, there may be some dispute as to whether she is emancipated. In some cases a child under the age of eighteen may be emancipated, but I would suggest the payment of child support until she is eighteen unless she is living independently and is totally self-supporting.
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