When does it end?

[Rmoss]

What is the name of your state?

I'm a Maryland resident. When My wife and I divorced, I was ordered by the court to pay child support for my youngest son who was still enrolled in high school until he turned 19 years of age; his 19th birthday is in September. I was told today that he has dropped out of school. He plans to take the GED examination in the near future. If he has dropped out of school, am I not longer required to continue his support?

Raleigh

 

[Gracie3787]

What is the name of your state?

I'm a Maryland resident. When My wife and I divorced, I was ordered by the court to pay child support for my youngest son who was still enrolled in high school until he turned 19 years of age; his 19th birthday is in September. I was told today that he has dropped out of school. He plans to take the GED examination in the near future. If he has dropped out of school, am I not longer required to continue his support?

Raleigh

If the court order states age 19, then you have to pay until his birthday. That's only 6 more months.

 

[nicetryadmin]

What is the name of your state?

I'm a Maryland resident. When My wife and I divorced, I was ordered by the court to pay child support for my youngest son who was still enrolled in high school until he turned 19 years of age; his 19th birthday is in September. I was told today that he has dropped out of school. He plans to take the GED examination in the near future. If he has dropped out of school, am I not longer required to continue his support?

Raleigh

Does you order state that he must be in high school?

 

[Rmoss]

Child Support

I understand Maryland law as follows:

A person who has attained the age of 18 years and who is enrolled in secondary school has the right to receive support and maintenance until the first to occur of the following events:

1) The person dies
2) The person marries
3) The person is emancipated
4) The person graduates from or is no longer enrolled in secondary school
5) The person attains the age of 19 years

Our separation/divorce agreement said that support was to be paid in accordance with Maryland law. So if my son has dropped out of school, is child support still owed?

Raleigh

 

[rmet4nzkx]

If that is the case, you could petition the court to terminate child support, perhaps to be repaid for any child support paid after 18th birthdate when child was not enrolled in school and you not informed, but at worst it is only a few more months.

 

[NotSoNew]

even if you DO have to pay till 19, you should file now for it, in most states it does not automatically end and the process takes a few months.