Child support in Texas ends on the date set by court order, typically when the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later

Texas family law sets a default end date for child support, but the actual date depends on what the court ordered and whether the child meets certain conditions. Most often, support stops when the child reaches 18 years old and has graduated from high school, or on the date the child graduates, whichever happens later. If a child is still in high school after turning 18, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. The order itself will state the exact termination date — you should check your court paperwork to see what applies to your case.

Support can also end earlier if the child marries, joins the military, becomes self-supporting, or if a parent's circumstances change enough to warrant a modification. In rare cases, support may continue past 18 if the child has a disability that prevents self-support, but this requires a separate court finding and is not automatic.

Key Takeaways

  • Child support ends on the date in your court order, which is usually when the child turns 18 and has graduated high school, or on graduation day if that is after the 18th birthday.
  • If the child is still enrolled in high school after turning 18, support continues until graduation or the child's 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
  • Support stops immediately if the child marries, enlists in the military, or becomes self-supporting before the termination date.
  • The paying parent must request a modification through the court if circumstances change; support does not adjust automatically.
  • After the termination date, the paying parent can request a court order to stop withholding from wages, but the order itself must be formally ended by the court.

The standard termination date under Texas law

Texas Family Code Section 154.001 sets the default end date for child support. Support continues until the earliest of these events: the child turns 18 and has graduated high school; the child graduates high school (even if before age 18); or the child turns 19, if still in high school. This means if a child graduates at 17, support ends at graduation. If a child turns 18 but is still in 12th grade, support continues through graduation or until age 19, whichever comes first.

Your specific court order may state a different date if the judge ordered something other than the default rule. Some orders say "until age 18" or "until graduation" without the "whichever is later" language. You need to read the actual order to know when your obligation ends. If you are unsure what your order says, contact the court that issued it or ask the other parent's attorney to clarify.

When support ends before the standard date

Child support can terminate early if the child's circumstances change. The most common early termination events are marriage, military enlistment, and self-support. If the child marries before the termination date, support ends on the date of marriage. If the child enlists in the military, support typically ends on the enlistment date, though some orders may specify otherwise. If the child becomes self-supporting — meaning the child has moved out, is working full-time, and is no longer dependent on either parent — the paying parent can request a modification to end support.

The paying parent must file a motion to modify with the court; support does not stop automatically just because the child has moved out or found a job. The court will review the evidence and decide whether the child is truly self-supporting or whether the parent is trying to avoid an obligation. If the child is living with the paying parent and working, that alone may not be enough to end support if the child is still dependent.

Support that continues past age 18

In limited circumstances, child support can continue past the standard termination date. If the child has a disability that prevents self-support, the court may order support to continue indefinitely. This is not automatic — the parent seeking continued support must prove to the court that the child cannot support themselves due to a physical or mental disability. The court will then decide whether to extend support and for how long.

Some court orders also include language requiring support to continue if the child is enrolled full-time in college or vocational training. However, this is not required by Texas law and only applies if the specific order includes it. If your order does not mention college, support ends on the standard date even if the child is in school. If you believe your order includes college support, check the document carefully or contact the court.

How to end wage withholding after support terminates

When the termination date arrives, the paying parent's wages should stop being withheld automatically — but this does not always happen on time. The employer receives the withholding order from the state and is supposed to stop deducting child support once the order ends. However, there can be delays in the system, and some employers continue withholding past the end date by mistake.

If you are still seeing child support deducted from your paycheck after the termination date, contact your employer's payroll department first and ask them to verify the end date. If they say they are still receiving an active withholding order, contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division or the court that issued the original order. You can request a written order terminating the withholding, which you can then give to your employer. Do not assume the withholding will stop on its own — follow up if it continues past the date in your order.

Modifying the termination date

Either parent can ask the court to change the termination date if circumstances have changed significantly. The paying parent might request an earlier end date if the child has become self-supporting or if the parent's income has dropped substantially. The receiving parent might request a later end date if the child has a disability or if the paying parent's income has increased. The court will review the request and decide whether to modify the order.

To modify the termination date, you must file a motion to modify with the court that issued the original order. You will need to show a material and substantial change in circumstances — a change that was not foreseeable when the original order was made. Simply wanting support to end is not enough; you must provide evidence of the changed circumstances. The process typically takes several weeks to several months, depending on the court's schedule and whether the other parent contests the modification.

What happens if the paying parent does not stop paying after termination

If the paying parent continues to pay child support after the termination date, that money does not automatically go back to the paying parent. The receiving parent is not required to return overpayments made after the order has ended, though some parents do so voluntarily. If you have paid past the termination date and want that money back, you would need to file a motion with the court asking for a refund or credit against any other obligations.

To avoid this problem, keep a copy of your court order showing the termination date and make a note of when support should end. If you are paying through the state's payment system, you can contact the Attorney General's office to confirm the end date. If you are paying directly to the other parent, send a written notice when the termination date approaches, stating that support will end on that date and asking for confirmation that they received it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. In Texas, support continues if the child is still enrolled in high school after turning 18. Support ends when the child graduates or turns 19, whichever is earlier. Check your court order to confirm it follows this rule, as some older orders may say support ends at 18 regardless of graduation status.

Can I stop paying child support if my child moves in with me?

Not automatically. You must file a motion to modify the court order and prove that the child is now self-supporting or that circumstances have changed enough to warrant ending support. Simply having the child live with you does not end the obligation — the court must agree that support should stop.

What if my child gets married before the termination date?

Child support ends on the date of marriage in Texas. You should notify the court or the state payment system of the marriage date so that withholding stops. Keep a copy of the marriage certificate as proof of the date.

Does child support continue if my child goes to college?

Only if your specific court order says so. Texas law does not require support to continue for college-age children. If your order does not mention college, support ends on the standard termination date even if the child is enrolled in school. Check your order carefully or ask the court to clarify.

How do I know the exact date support should end?

Read your court order — it should state the termination date or the condition that triggers termination. If the order is unclear, contact the court that issued it or ask the other parent's attorney. You can also contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division with your case number, and they can tell you what date is in the system.