If your child is turning 18, it is important to understand how this could affect child support obligations whether you receive or make payments. When it comes to child support, there are various factors that can impact how much support a parent has to pay. In addition, it is vital to note that some parents must continue to pay child support in Virginia after their child’s 18th birthday.
Failure to pay child support can lead to devastating consequences, such as tax refund interceptions and even time behind bars. This underlines how crucial it is to understand and abide by child support obligations.
Child support could continue after a child’s 18th birthday
The Virginia Department of Social Services states that child support orders sometimes end in this state when a child reaches the age of 18, but might continue if the child remains in high school. If your child is over 18 and still a full-time high school student, child support obligations could stay in place until the child turns 19 or they graduate (whatever happens first).
Reviewing your child support order
The Department recommends that you go over your child support order’s terms since they can vary depending on the jurisdiction. In addition, you should review your child support order if you have encountered significant changes that could impact the amount of support owed, such as losing your job.
Whether you are a custodial parent or non-custodial parent, it is essential to determine whether child support payments will continue or end after your child’s 18th birthday and prepare accordingly.
