When Does Child Support End? Termination Age by State

Most states end child support at 18, or later if the child is still in high school — but a handful of states default to 19 or 21, and every state handles high school enrollment, disability, and college differently. This page is a plain-language summary of each state's rule, with a link to that state's own official page for the exact statutory wording.

The General Pattern — and the Exceptions

18, or High School Graduation

The most common rule by far: support ends at 18, but automatically continues — usually capped at 19 or 20 — if the child is still a full-time high school student. Most states work this way.

A Different Default Age Entirely

A few states set the baseline higher: the District of Columbia, Mississippi, and New York default to 21. Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, and New Jersey default to 19. Texas builds the "later of 18 or graduation" rule directly into its default instead of treating it as an extension.

Disability Extensions

Most states let a court continue support indefinitely for a child who can't support themselves due to a disability that began before adulthood. A few — including Georgia and Wisconsin — don't allow this over a parent's objection; support can still continue there only if both parents agree.

College Support Is the Exception, Not the Rule

Most states do not require a parent to pay for college. A small group — including Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington — explicitly allow a court to order it. Everywhere else, it's only enforceable if both parents agreed to it in writing.

This is a summary, not legal advice

Termination rules involve real statutory detail — exact age caps, what counts as "full-time" enrollment, and how disability or educational exceptions are proven — that a short table can't fully capture, and some states leave certain questions to case law rather than a clean statute. Support also doesn't always end automatically just because a birthday passes; depending on the state, income withholding may need to be affirmatively stopped. If a specific case is involved, confirm the current rule with the state's own child support office or a family law attorney rather than relying on this page alone.

Termination Rules by State

Filter states

State	Default Age	High School Extension	Disability Extension	College Support
Alabama	19	Not applicable — Alabama's default age (19) already exceeds typical high school age.	Yes, indefinite — courts may order continued support for a child who cannot support themselves due to disability.	No — Alabama's courts eliminated court-ordered college support in 2013 (Ex parte Christopher).
Alaska	18	Continues while the child is unmarried and attending high school full-time; the exact age cap isn't clearly stated in official guidance.	Not clearly established in Alaska statute based on available sources.	No — barred by Alaska Supreme Court case law (H.P.A. v. S.C.A., 1985).
Arizona	18	Continues until high school completion, but not past age 19.	Yes, indefinite — if a severe disability began before the child turned 18.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Arkansas	18	Continues until graduation, or the end of the school year after the child turns 19.	Yes — if the child can't live independently due to disability.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
California	18	Continues until 12th grade completion or age 19, whichever comes first.	Yes, indefinite — support continues "of whatever age" for a child incapacitated from earning a living.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Colorado	19	Continues to the end of the month after graduation, generally not past age 21.	Yes, effectively indefinite while the disability continues.	Rare — mainly limited to orders entered before July 1997, or narrow statutory exceptions.
Connecticut	18	Continues until 12th grade completion or age 19, whichever comes first.	Yes — capped at age 26 for decrees entered on or after October 2023 (raised from 21).	Yes — courts can order up to 4 years of college/vocational support, capped at age 23 (uncommon nationally).
Delaware	18	Continues until diploma or age 19, whichever comes first.	Not clearly established in Delaware's child support statute or official FAQ.	No — not addressed in statute.
District of Columbia	21	Not applicable — D.C.'s default age (21) already exceeds typical high school age.	Recognized under common law rather than a specific D.C. statute.	No — not court-ordered; only possible through a parents' voluntary agreement.
Florida	18	Continues to age 19 if the child is still in high school in good faith and expected to graduate.	Yes, indefinite — if the incapacity began before the child turned 18.	No — not addressed in statute.
Georgia	18	May continue while enrolled in secondary school, but not required past age 20.	No — Georgia is one of the few states that does not extend court-ordered support for a disabled adult child absent agreement.	No — not addressed in statute.
Hawaii	18	Presumptively continues to age 19, or longer if the child is in college or vocational school full-time.	Yes — for an "incompetent adult child," regardless of age.	Yes — Hawaii is one of the few states that explicitly allows continued support for college or vocational school.
Idaho	18	May continue, at the court's discretion, until the child finishes high school or turns 19, whichever is sooner.	Not clearly established in Idaho's child support statute.	No — not addressed in statute.
Illinois	18	Continues to age 19 if the child is still attending high school.	Yes, indefinite — Illinois has a dedicated "non-minor support" provision for a disabled child.	Yes — Illinois explicitly allows court-ordered educational support, generally until age 23 (25 for good cause), capped near in-state public university tuition rates.
Indiana	19	Can continue through high school graduation if a parent files the required notice between ages 17–19.	Yes, indefinite — while the child remains legally "incapacitated."	Rare — a parent, guardian, or child can petition for educational support, but must file before the child turns 19 (21 for older orders).
Iowa	18	Continues to age 19 if the child is completing high school full-time.	Yes, indefinite — for a dependent adult child unable to support themselves.	Yes — Iowa allows a court-ordered postsecondary education subsidy (ages 18–22) with good cause shown.
Kansas	18	Continues through the school year in which the child turns 18; can extend through the school year the child turns 19 if both parents agreed to the delay.	Not clearly established in Kansas's core child support statute.	No — not required absent a written parental agreement.
Kentucky	18	Continues while the child remains a high school student, through the end of the school year in which they turn 19.	Kentucky law recognizes a parental duty of support for a disabled adult child, per statute.	No — not required absent a voluntary agreement.
Louisiana	18	Continues to age 19 if the child is a full-time secondary school student.	Yes — up to age 22 for a developmental disability while still in secondary school, or longer under a 2025 law update for disabilities that began before adulthood.	No — not addressed in statute.
Maine	18	Continues until graduation, withdrawal, or age 19, whichever comes first.	No statutory extension found; case law has declined to extend support for a disabled adult child.	No — not addressed in statute.
Maryland	18	Continues to age 19 if the child is enrolled and attending secondary school full-time.	Likely yes through case law, though not tied to a specific Family Law Article provision confirmed in this research.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Massachusetts	18	Not a separate rule — folded into Massachusetts' broader post-majority framework (see below).	Not clearly established in the core support statute reviewed.	Yes — support can continue to age 21 automatically, and to age 23 if the child is enrolled in an undergraduate program (unusual nationally).
Michigan	18	Continues while completing high school, but never past age 19 years and 6 months.	Likely available at court discretion, though no specific statute was independently confirmed in this research.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Minnesota	18	Continues to age 20 if the child is still attending secondary school.	Yes, indefinite — Minnesota's statutory definition of "child" includes an individual of any age incapable of self-support.	No — not addressed in statute.
Mississippi	21	Not applicable — Mississippi's default age (21) already exceeds typical high school age.	Disability exempts a child from early termination at 18, though extension past 21 isn't clearly established.	No explicit provision, though the age-21 default already covers typical early college years.
Missouri	18	Continues while completing high school, generally not past age 21.	Yes — no stated age cap for a child who is incapacitated and unable to support themselves.	Yes — Missouri explicitly allows continued support for full-time college/vocational enrollment, generally until completion or age 21.
Montana	18	Continues until high school graduation or age 19, whichever is later (absent a different written agreement).	Yes — continues while the child remains disabled and financially dependent.	No — not required absent an agreement.
Nebraska	19	Not applicable — Nebraska's default age (19) already exceeds typical high school age.	Only if the parents previously agreed to it in the support order — not ordered over objection.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Nevada	18	Continues to age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school.	Yes, indefinite — if the disability began before the child reached the age of majority.	No — not addressed in statute.
New Hampshire	18	Continues until graduation, or up to 2 months after the child turns 19, whichever comes first.	Yes, capped at age 21 for a child who qualifies as disabled under state law.	Rare — only through a court-approved parental agreement.
New Jersey	19	Can be extended if the child is still in high school, but not past age 23.	A continuation can be requested for a disability that began before 19, though support still ends by law at 23.	Yes — New Jersey allows continuation for full-time college enrollment, capped at age 23 (uncommon nationally).
New Mexico	18	Continues to age 19 if the child is still in high school.	Yes — New Mexico recognizes a duty to support a severely disabled child if the disability began before adulthood.	Rare — only enforceable if the parents agreed to it in writing.
New York	21	Not applicable — New York's default age (21) already exceeds typical high school age.	Yes — support and health coverage can continue from age 21 to 25 for a dependent child with a developmental disability.	Yes — courts may order college contributions, often benchmarked to SUNY tuition rates (uncommon nationally).
North Carolina	18	Continues until graduation, or age 20, whichever comes first, if still in secondary school.	No automatic court-ordered extension — only enforceable if the parents agreed to it.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
North Dakota	18	Continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.	Discretionary — a court can order continued support if it determines that's appropriate, but it isn't automatic.	Rare — the same discretionary provision used for disability could apply, but there's no dedicated college-support statute.
Ohio	18	Continues while the child attends an accredited high school full-time.	Yes, indefinite — for a child who is mentally or physically disabled and incapable of self-support.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Oklahoma	18	Continues until graduation or age 20, whichever comes first.	Yes, indefinite — if the disability (or its cause) existed before the child turned 18.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Oregon	18	Folded into a broader "child attending school" rule that can extend support to age 21.	Oregon recognizes a general parental duty to support a child unable to work, though how routinely this becomes a formal support order isn't fully clear.	Yes — Oregon explicitly allows continued support up to age 21 for a child in college or vocational training (uncommon nationally).
Pennsylvania	18	Continues until age 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later.	Yes — recognized through Pennsylvania case law for a child unable to support themselves due to a condition that began before adulthood.	No — Pennsylvania's college-support law was struck down as unconstitutional in 1995; only enforceable through a parents' own written agreement.
Rhode Island	18	Continues until 90 days after graduation, but not past age 19.	Yes — courts weigh the disability, cost of care, and each parent's resources when deciding whether to continue support.	No — only high-school-related education costs are covered by statute.
South Carolina	18	Continues until graduation, or the end of the school year after the child turns 19, whichever is later.	Yes — courts have discretion to continue support for a disability or other exceptional circumstances.	Rare — South Carolina case law allows court-ordered college support under a specific "exceptional circumstances" test.
South Dakota	18	Continues to age 19 (flat cap) if the child is a full-time secondary school student.	Possibly available through case law, though not set out in statute.	No — not addressed in statute.
Tennessee	18	Continues while the child is still in high school (Tennessee's own statute sections use slightly different wording for when this ends).	Yes — capped at age 21 generally, or indefinite for a severe disability that began before adulthood.	No — only enforceable through a parents' own signed agreement.
Texas	18 or high school graduation, whichever is later	Built directly into Texas's default rule — support runs until the later of age 18 or high school graduation.	Yes, indefinite — for a disability that existed on or before the child's 18th birthday.	No — only enforceable through a parents' own written agreement.
Utah	18	Continues until the child's normal and expected graduation year, whichever is later than turning 18.	Yes, indefinite — Utah's definition of "child" includes a son or daughter of any age who is incapacitated from earning a living.	Uncertain — some sources describe limited court discretion, but it isn't clearly set out in the standard child support statute.
Vermont	18	Continues until the age of majority or the end of secondary education, whichever is later.	Not clearly established in Vermont's core child support statute.	Rare — Vermont allows court-ordered postsecondary support, but only if both parents agree.
Virginia	18	Continues to age 19 or high school graduation, whichever comes FIRST — a narrower rule than most states.	Yes — for a severe disability that began before adulthood, if the child lives with the parent receiving support.	No — only enforceable through a parents' own contract.
Washington	18	Continues until high school graduation, generally.	Yes — a parent generally must petition for this before the child turns 18.	Yes — Washington explicitly allows court-ordered postsecondary support (uncommon nationally).
West Virginia	18	Continues while making progress toward a diploma, but not past age 20.	Yes — preserved by case law for a disabled child.	No — only certain pre-1994 court orders are grandfathered in.
Wisconsin	18	Continues to age 19 (hard cap) if the child is pursuing an accredited high school program.	No — Wisconsin courts can't order continued support for a disabled adult child over a parent's objection.	No — not required absent a parental agreement.
Wyoming	18	Continues to age 20 if the child is attending high school full-time.	Yes, indefinite — for a child who is mentally or physically disabled and incapable of self-support.	No — only enforceable through a parents' own contract.

Alabama

Default Age: 19
High School Extension: Not applicable — Alabama's default age (19) already exceeds typical high school age.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — courts may order continued support for a child who cannot support themselves due to disability.
College Support: No — Alabama's courts eliminated court-ordered college support in 2013 (Ex parte Christopher).

Alaska

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues while the child is unmarried and attending high school full-time; the exact age cap isn't clearly stated in official guidance.
Disability Extension: Not clearly established in Alaska statute based on available sources.
College Support: No — barred by Alaska Supreme Court case law (H.P.A. v. S.C.A., 1985).

Arizona

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until high school completion, but not past age 19.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — if a severe disability began before the child turned 18.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Arkansas

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until graduation, or the end of the school year after the child turns 19.
Disability Extension: Yes — if the child can't live independently due to disability.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

California

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until 12th grade completion or age 19, whichever comes first.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — support continues "of whatever age" for a child incapacitated from earning a living.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Colorado

Default Age: 19
High School Extension: Continues to the end of the month after graduation, generally not past age 21.
Disability Extension: Yes, effectively indefinite while the disability continues.
College Support: Rare — mainly limited to orders entered before July 1997, or narrow statutory exceptions.

Connecticut

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until 12th grade completion or age 19, whichever comes first.
Disability Extension: Yes — capped at age 26 for decrees entered on or after October 2023 (raised from 21).
College Support: Yes — courts can order up to 4 years of college/vocational support, capped at age 23 (uncommon nationally).

Delaware

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until diploma or age 19, whichever comes first.
Disability Extension: Not clearly established in Delaware's child support statute or official FAQ.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

District of Columbia

Default Age: 21
High School Extension: Not applicable — D.C.'s default age (21) already exceeds typical high school age.
Disability Extension: Recognized under common law rather than a specific D.C. statute.
College Support: No — not court-ordered; only possible through a parents' voluntary agreement.

Florida

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 if the child is still in high school in good faith and expected to graduate.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — if the incapacity began before the child turned 18.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

Georgia

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: May continue while enrolled in secondary school, but not required past age 20.
Disability Extension: No — Georgia is one of the few states that does not extend court-ordered support for a disabled adult child absent agreement.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

Hawaii

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Presumptively continues to age 19, or longer if the child is in college or vocational school full-time.
Disability Extension: Yes — for an "incompetent adult child," regardless of age.
College Support: Yes — Hawaii is one of the few states that explicitly allows continued support for college or vocational school.

Idaho

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: May continue, at the court's discretion, until the child finishes high school or turns 19, whichever is sooner.
Disability Extension: Not clearly established in Idaho's child support statute.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

Illinois

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 if the child is still attending high school.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — Illinois has a dedicated "non-minor support" provision for a disabled child.
College Support: Yes — Illinois explicitly allows court-ordered educational support, generally until age 23 (25 for good cause), capped near in-state public university tuition rates.

Indiana

Default Age: 19
High School Extension: Can continue through high school graduation if a parent files the required notice between ages 17–19.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — while the child remains legally "incapacitated."
College Support: Rare — a parent, guardian, or child can petition for educational support, but must file before the child turns 19 (21 for older orders).

Iowa

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 if the child is completing high school full-time.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — for a dependent adult child unable to support themselves.
College Support: Yes — Iowa allows a court-ordered postsecondary education subsidy (ages 18–22) with good cause shown.

Kansas

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues through the school year in which the child turns 18; can extend through the school year the child turns 19 if both parents agreed to the delay.
Disability Extension: Not clearly established in Kansas's core child support statute.
College Support: No — not required absent a written parental agreement.

Kentucky

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues while the child remains a high school student, through the end of the school year in which they turn 19.
Disability Extension: Kentucky law recognizes a parental duty of support for a disabled adult child, per statute.
College Support: No — not required absent a voluntary agreement.

Louisiana

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 if the child is a full-time secondary school student.
Disability Extension: Yes — up to age 22 for a developmental disability while still in secondary school, or longer under a 2025 law update for disabilities that began before adulthood.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

Maine

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until graduation, withdrawal, or age 19, whichever comes first.
Disability Extension: No statutory extension found; case law has declined to extend support for a disabled adult child.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

Maryland

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 if the child is enrolled and attending secondary school full-time.
Disability Extension: Likely yes through case law, though not tied to a specific Family Law Article provision confirmed in this research.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Massachusetts

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Not a separate rule — folded into Massachusetts' broader post-majority framework (see below).
Disability Extension: Not clearly established in the core support statute reviewed.
College Support: Yes — support can continue to age 21 automatically, and to age 23 if the child is enrolled in an undergraduate program (unusual nationally).

Michigan

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues while completing high school, but never past age 19 years and 6 months.
Disability Extension: Likely available at court discretion, though no specific statute was independently confirmed in this research.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Minnesota

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 20 if the child is still attending secondary school.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — Minnesota's statutory definition of "child" includes an individual of any age incapable of self-support.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

Mississippi

Default Age: 21
High School Extension: Not applicable — Mississippi's default age (21) already exceeds typical high school age.
Disability Extension: Disability exempts a child from early termination at 18, though extension past 21 isn't clearly established.
College Support: No explicit provision, though the age-21 default already covers typical early college years.

Missouri

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues while completing high school, generally not past age 21.
Disability Extension: Yes — no stated age cap for a child who is incapacitated and unable to support themselves.
College Support: Yes — Missouri explicitly allows continued support for full-time college/vocational enrollment, generally until completion or age 21.

Montana

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until high school graduation or age 19, whichever is later (absent a different written agreement).
Disability Extension: Yes — continues while the child remains disabled and financially dependent.
College Support: No — not required absent an agreement.

Nebraska

Default Age: 19
High School Extension: Not applicable — Nebraska's default age (19) already exceeds typical high school age.
Disability Extension: Only if the parents previously agreed to it in the support order — not ordered over objection.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Nevada

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — if the disability began before the child reached the age of majority.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

New Hampshire

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until graduation, or up to 2 months after the child turns 19, whichever comes first.
Disability Extension: Yes, capped at age 21 for a child who qualifies as disabled under state law.
College Support: Rare — only through a court-approved parental agreement.

New Jersey

Default Age: 19
High School Extension: Can be extended if the child is still in high school, but not past age 23.
Disability Extension: A continuation can be requested for a disability that began before 19, though support still ends by law at 23.
College Support: Yes — New Jersey allows continuation for full-time college enrollment, capped at age 23 (uncommon nationally).

New Mexico

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 if the child is still in high school.
Disability Extension: Yes — New Mexico recognizes a duty to support a severely disabled child if the disability began before adulthood.
College Support: Rare — only enforceable if the parents agreed to it in writing.

New York

Default Age: 21
High School Extension: Not applicable — New York's default age (21) already exceeds typical high school age.
Disability Extension: Yes — support and health coverage can continue from age 21 to 25 for a dependent child with a developmental disability.
College Support: Yes — courts may order college contributions, often benchmarked to SUNY tuition rates (uncommon nationally).

North Carolina

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until graduation, or age 20, whichever comes first, if still in secondary school.
Disability Extension: No automatic court-ordered extension — only enforceable if the parents agreed to it.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

North Dakota

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.
Disability Extension: Discretionary — a court can order continued support if it determines that's appropriate, but it isn't automatic.
College Support: Rare — the same discretionary provision used for disability could apply, but there's no dedicated college-support statute.

Ohio

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues while the child attends an accredited high school full-time.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — for a child who is mentally or physically disabled and incapable of self-support.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Oklahoma

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until graduation or age 20, whichever comes first.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — if the disability (or its cause) existed before the child turned 18.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Oregon

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Folded into a broader "child attending school" rule that can extend support to age 21.
Disability Extension: Oregon recognizes a general parental duty to support a child unable to work, though how routinely this becomes a formal support order isn't fully clear.
College Support: Yes — Oregon explicitly allows continued support up to age 21 for a child in college or vocational training (uncommon nationally).

Pennsylvania

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until age 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later.
Disability Extension: Yes — recognized through Pennsylvania case law for a child unable to support themselves due to a condition that began before adulthood.
College Support: No — Pennsylvania's college-support law was struck down as unconstitutional in 1995; only enforceable through a parents' own written agreement.

Rhode Island

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until 90 days after graduation, but not past age 19.
Disability Extension: Yes — courts weigh the disability, cost of care, and each parent's resources when deciding whether to continue support.
College Support: No — only high-school-related education costs are covered by statute.

South Carolina

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until graduation, or the end of the school year after the child turns 19, whichever is later.
Disability Extension: Yes — courts have discretion to continue support for a disability or other exceptional circumstances.
College Support: Rare — South Carolina case law allows court-ordered college support under a specific "exceptional circumstances" test.

South Dakota

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 (flat cap) if the child is a full-time secondary school student.
Disability Extension: Possibly available through case law, though not set out in statute.
College Support: No — not addressed in statute.

Tennessee

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues while the child is still in high school (Tennessee's own statute sections use slightly different wording for when this ends).
Disability Extension: Yes — capped at age 21 generally, or indefinite for a severe disability that began before adulthood.
College Support: No — only enforceable through a parents' own signed agreement.

Texas

Default Age: 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later
High School Extension: Built directly into Texas's default rule — support runs until the later of age 18 or high school graduation.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — for a disability that existed on or before the child's 18th birthday.
College Support: No — only enforceable through a parents' own written agreement.

Utah

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until the child's normal and expected graduation year, whichever is later than turning 18.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — Utah's definition of "child" includes a son or daughter of any age who is incapacitated from earning a living.
College Support: Uncertain — some sources describe limited court discretion, but it isn't clearly set out in the standard child support statute.

Vermont

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until the age of majority or the end of secondary education, whichever is later.
Disability Extension: Not clearly established in Vermont's core child support statute.
College Support: Rare — Vermont allows court-ordered postsecondary support, but only if both parents agree.

Virginia

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 or high school graduation, whichever comes FIRST — a narrower rule than most states.
Disability Extension: Yes — for a severe disability that began before adulthood, if the child lives with the parent receiving support.
College Support: No — only enforceable through a parents' own contract.

Washington

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues until high school graduation, generally.
Disability Extension: Yes — a parent generally must petition for this before the child turns 18.
College Support: Yes — Washington explicitly allows court-ordered postsecondary support (uncommon nationally).

West Virginia

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues while making progress toward a diploma, but not past age 20.
Disability Extension: Yes — preserved by case law for a disabled child.
College Support: No — only certain pre-1994 court orders are grandfathered in.

Wisconsin

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 19 (hard cap) if the child is pursuing an accredited high school program.
Disability Extension: No — Wisconsin courts can't order continued support for a disabled adult child over a parent's objection.
College Support: No — not required absent a parental agreement.

Wyoming

Default Age: 18
High School Extension: Continues to age 20 if the child is attending high school full-time.
Disability Extension: Yes, indefinite — for a child who is mentally or physically disabled and incapable of self-support.
College Support: No — only enforceable through a parents' own contract.

When Does Child Support End? Termination Age by State

The General Pattern — and the Exceptions

18, or High School Graduation

A Different Default Age Entirely

Disability Extensions

College Support Is the Exception, Not the Rule

This is a summary, not legal advice

Termination Rules by State

Helpful Resources

Calculator & Guidelines

Modify an Order

Interstate Cases