Under Maryland law, child support continues until a child reaches 18 years of age. It can extend to age 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school. Many parents mistakenly believe that child support ceases when a child turns 18, but this is not the case. If a child fails to move up the grade for one year, alimony will continue to apply until the child graduates from high school, even if the child is over 18 years old at the time.
The details of the divorce include calculations and orders relating to the payment of alimony for minor children. It's not uncommon for parties to negotiate additional child support payments after age 18 if the child is attending school full time, is still living at home, or has not yet graduated from high school. If you have questions about when child support ends in Maryland, talk to an experienced divorce lawyer. In Maryland, United States of America, child support payments don't necessarily end when a child turns 18. In this case, parents have no other legal obligation to continue to support the child and can file a motion to cancel their child support payments.
In the event that the child turns 18 before graduating from high school, child support payments are extended until the child finishes high school or until the child turns 19, whichever comes first. Under Maryland law, child support payments only end when a child turns 18 if they have graduated from high school by that time. If your child is mentally or physically disabled and unable to support themselves, your child's maintenance obligation may extend after age 19 or after graduating from high school. If your child leaves home and joins the military before his 18th birthday, if he marries or simply moves out on his own, you may no longer be required to support him financially.
During the term of a child support order, parents can request a modification of the amount they pay or receive. Because of the importance attached to financial and other contributions made by both parents, the court retains the authority to create and modify child support orders, as well as to maintain the integrity of parenting plans developed by parents or the court. A similar effort, House Bill 1272, would have forced parents to contribute to education costs in addition to paying child support during college years. The state requires that all debtor parents pay through state services, so that when your child is emancipated, you can notify the state that you no longer owe alimony.
