Questions About Child Support After 18 Answered

The good news is, with the help of your family law attorney, you can potentially extend support up to the age of 21.

For most seeing your child walk across the stage and receive their diploma is an exciting time.  For parents of children receiving support, it can be bittersweet. Will your child still receive support? The answer, as is so often the case, depends on a few factors. The good news is, with the help of your family law attorney, you can potentially extend support up to the age of 21.

Support Can Extend to the Age of 21

In Missouri, child support ends when a child turns 18. However, if your child is enrolled for at least 12 hours of course work each semester, they are eligible to receive continued support. This can be in either a vocational school or a college.  At this point, child support will continue through the educational program, or until your child turns 21, whichever happens first. The process is not automatic, however, and requires a coordinated effort from both you and your child. 

To ensure that child support continues, your child must provide transcripts showing the classes and number of hours they are enrolled in each semester. As well, your child must also provide a copy of their grades. Failure to do so can put their child support at risk. It is essential to stay vigilant and make sure your child is providing you with these documents in a timely matter. Once you have everything, you should contact your trusted St. Louis family law attorney to submit all required documentation properly.

Contact a St. Louis Family Law Attorney

Your child’s graduation should and is a joyous time. Knowing how and when to submit the right documents properly is crucial to enjoying this moment thoroughly. Before your child graduates, contact your family law attorney and find out what you need to ensure their continued support in higher education.