Child support does not automatically stop when your child turns 18

In Texas, a child support order remains in effect until one of several specific events happens. The order does not end on its own when your child reaches 18, graduates high school, or moves out. You must take action through the court system to formally end the obligation, or meet one of the conditions that automatically terminates it.

The most common way child support ends is when your child turns 18 and has graduated high school, or reaches age 19 if still in high school. But even then, the order itself does not disappear from the court record — it simply stops being enforceable. If you want the order formally closed or modified before that point, you need to file a motion with the court that issued it.

Key Takeaways

  • Child support automatically stops when your child turns 18 and has graduated high school, or at age 19 if still enrolled in high school, but the court order remains active unless you file to close it.
  • You can file a motion to modify or terminate child support before your child reaches the age limit if circumstances have changed significantly, such as job loss or a major change in custody.
  • The parent paying support must file the motion in the same district court that issued the original order, using Form 105.1 or a written motion.
  • The other parent has the right to respond to your motion, and the judge decides whether to grant it based on the best interest of the child and changed circumstances.
  • If your child is disabled and unable to support themselves, child support may continue past age 18 or 19 if the court finds it is in the child's best interest.

When child support automatically ends without court action

Texas Family Code Section 154.001 sets the age when support ends. Child support stops automatically when your child turns 18 and has graduated high school, whichever is later. If your child is still in high school at 18, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

Support also ends automatically if your child marries, joins the military, is emancipated by court order, or dies. In these cases, you do not need to file anything — the obligation simply ceases. However, if arrears (unpaid support) exist, the debt does not disappear. The other parent can still pursue collection through the Office of the Attorney General or a private attorney.

If your child is disabled and unable to support themselves, the court may order support to continue past age 18 or 19. This requires a separate finding by the judge that continuing support is in the child's best interest. The disability must be documented, and the order must specifically state that support continues.

Filing a motion to terminate or modify support before age 18

If you want to end or change child support before your child reaches the automatic termination age, you must file a motion with the district court that issued the original order. This is the court in the county where the child support case was filed, not necessarily where you or the child currently live.

You can file a motion to modify or terminate if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances. Examples include loss of employment, a significant decrease in income, a major change in custody or possession, or the child moving in with you full-time. A change in circumstances must be substantial — a small raise or minor shift in schedule usually does not meet the threshold.

Use Texas Supreme Court Form 105.1 (Motion to Modify or Terminate Child Support) or file a written motion stating your reason for the request. Include your current income, the child's current living situation, and any documentation of the change in circumstances. File the motion at the district clerk's office in the courthouse where the original order was issued. There is a filing fee, which varies by county but typically ranges from $50 to $300.

What happens after you file the motion

Once you file, the court clerk will serve the other parent with a copy of your motion. The other parent has the right to respond, usually within 21 days. They may agree that support should end or change, or they may object and argue that your circumstances have not changed enough to warrant a modification.

If both parents agree to the change, you can submit a written agreement to the judge for approval. The judge will review it to make sure it is in the child's best interest and then sign an order. This is usually faster than going to a hearing.

If the other parent objects, the judge will schedule a hearing. You will need to present evidence of the change in circumstances — pay stubs, tax returns, medical records, or testimony about job loss or custody changes. The judge will decide whether to grant, deny, or partially grant your motion. The judge's decision is based on the best interest of the child and whether you have proven a material and substantial change in circumstances.

How to find the court that issued your order

You need to file your motion in the district court that originally issued the child support order. If you do not know which court that is, contact the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division at 1-800-252-8014. They can tell you which court has your case and provide the case number.

You can also search the Texas court system online. Go to the district clerk's website for the county where the case was filed, or use the Texas Court Case Lookup tool at txcourts.gov. Search by your name or the other parent's name to find the case number and court location.

Once you have the court information, contact the district clerk's office to ask about filing procedures, fees, and whether you can file by mail or must appear in person. Some courts allow electronic filing through their online system.

When the other parent is not paying and you want it to stop

If the other parent owes back child support and you want to stop pursuing collection, you cannot simply cancel the order yourself. The child support obligation is owed to the state as well as to you, because the state may have provided benefits like TANF or Medicaid that child support is meant to reimburse.

You can request that the Office of the Attorney General stop collection efforts by submitting a written request. However, this does not erase the debt or close the court order. The other parent's obligation remains on record, and collection can resume if circumstances change or if the state decides to pursue it.

If you want the court order formally terminated, you still need to file a motion to terminate. The fact that the other parent is not paying does not automatically end the order — it only means they are in violation. A judge must sign an order to close the case.

Modifying support instead of ending it completely

You do not have to choose between paying full support or paying nothing. You can file a motion to modify the amount if your circumstances have changed. For example, if you lost your job, you can ask the court to reduce the amount temporarily. If your income increased significantly, the other parent can ask for an increase.

The court uses the Texas Child Support Guidelines to calculate the new amount based on your current income, the number of children you support, and custody arrangements. If the new calculated amount differs by 20 percent or more from the current order, that is considered a material and substantial change, and modification is more likely to be granted.

Modification is often a better option than termination if you expect your circumstances to improve or if you want to maintain a legal relationship with the child. A modified order keeps the case active and allows either parent to request changes again if circumstances change further.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child is 18 but still in high school — does support stop?

No. In Texas, support continues until your child graduates high school or turns 19, whichever comes first. Once your child graduates or reaches 19, support stops automatically without any court action needed. If your child drops out of school, support stops at age 18.

Can I stop paying child support if the other parent is not letting me see the child?

No. Child support and visitation are separate legal issues. You cannot stop paying support because you are being denied access to your child. If you are being denied court-ordered possession, you must file a separate motion to enforce your visitation rights. Contact a family law attorney or the court for help with enforcement.

Do I need a lawyer to file a motion to terminate child support?

You do not need a lawyer, but one can help you navigate the process and present your case more effectively. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact your local legal aid office or ask the court about low-cost legal clinics in your area. The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service if you want to hire one.

What if I do not know where the other parent lives — can I still file to modify support?

Yes, but you must still serve them with the motion. If you cannot locate them, ask the court clerk about serving by publication, which means publishing a notice in a newspaper. This is more complicated and may require a lawyer's help. Contact the Office of the Attorney General for assistance locating the other parent.

If child support ends when my child turns 18, do I still owe arrears?

Yes. Arrears (unpaid support from past months) do not disappear when the child reaches age 18. You remain responsible for paying back support owed, and the other parent or the state can pursue collection through wage garnishment, tax refund offset, or other enforcement methods. Arrears can follow you for years.