When Child Support Ends in Indiana

Child support in Indiana ends when the child turns 19, unless the child is still in high school

In Indiana, child support payments stop on the child's 19th birthday. However, if the child is still enrolled in high school at that point, support continues until the child graduates or turns 20, whichever comes first. This is set out in Indiana Code 31-16-6-2. The paying parent's obligation does not automatically stop — the order remains in effect until one of these conditions is met.

If a child drops out of high school before turning 19, support ends at 19 regardless. If a child is held back and is still in high school after turning 19, the paying parent remains responsible until graduation or age 20. The key is enrollment status, not age alone.

Key Takeaways

• Child support ends on the child's 19th birthday unless the child is still enrolled in high school.
• If a child is in high school at 19, support continues until graduation or age 20, whichever is earlier.
• The paying parent must notify the court or the other parent if circumstances change — the order does not adjust on its own.
• A child who is 19 and no longer in school can request that support continue if they are in college, but Indiana law does not require it.

What happens if the child is still in high school at 19

If your child turns 19 while still enrolled in high school, the paying parent continues to pay support. The obligation ends when the child graduates or reaches age 20, whichever happens first. This applies whether the child is in public school, private school, or a homeschool program that is recognized by the state.

The receiving parent or the child should notify the paying parent and the court in writing if the child is still in high school at 19. This prevents confusion about when payments should stop. If the paying parent stops paying before graduation and the child is still enrolled, the receiving parent can file a motion to enforce the order.

How to end support when the child turns 19 or graduates

The paying parent does not need to file paperwork to stop support — it ends automatically when the child reaches 19 (or 20 if still in high school). However, it is wise to document the end date in writing. Send a letter to the receiving parent stating the child's birth date and the date support should end. Keep a copy for your records.

If support is being paid through the Indiana Child Support Bureau, notify them in writing that the child has reached the age limit or graduated. Provide the child's name, case number, and the date support should end. The bureau can then update the payment schedule. If you continue paying after the obligation ends, you cannot recover those payments.

If the receiving parent continues to request or accept payments after the child turns 19 (or 20 if still in high school), that does not extend the legal obligation. However, if you want to be certain the matter is closed, you can file a motion to terminate support with the court.

College attendance and support after 19

Indiana law does not require a paying parent to support a child who is in college. Once the child turns 19 and is no longer in high school, the legal obligation ends. This is true even if the child is enrolled full-time at a university or community college.

A child or receiving parent can ask the court to order continued support for college expenses, but the paying parent can object. The court may consider this request, but there is no automatic right to support beyond age 19 for post-secondary education. Any agreement to pay for college must be made voluntarily or ordered by the court in a separate modification.

What if the child is disabled or cannot support themselves

If a child is unable to support themselves due to a physical or mental disability, the paying parent may remain responsible for support beyond age 19. Indiana Code 31-16-6-2 allows support to continue past 19 if the child is incapable of self-support because of a disability that existed before age 19.

To extend support for a disabled child, the receiving parent must file a motion with the court before the child turns 19. The motion must include medical evidence of the disability and proof that the child cannot work. The court will decide whether to extend support and for how long. Without a court order, support ends at 19 even if the child is disabled.

Modifying or enforcing the end date

If the paying parent and receiving parent disagree about when support should end, either can file a motion with the court. For example, if the paying parent believes the child has dropped out of high school and support should end at 19, they can ask the court to confirm this. If the receiving parent believes the child is still in high school and support should continue, they can file to enforce the order.

The court will look at school enrollment records to determine the child's status. If the child is enrolled, support continues. If the child is not enrolled and is over 19, support ends. The burden is on the person asking the court to act to provide proof of the child's enrollment status.

What to do if the paying parent stops paying before the obligation ends

If the paying parent stops paying support before the child turns 19 (or before graduation if the child is still in high school), the receiving parent can file a motion to enforce the child support order. The court can order the paying parent to pay the back support owed, plus interest and court costs.

The receiving parent should contact the Indiana Child Support Bureau or file a motion in the court that issued the original order. Provide the case number, the child's name and birth date, and the dates when payments were missed. The court can also hold the paying parent in contempt, which may result in fines or jail time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does child support end automatically on the child's 19th birthday?

Support ends automatically at 19 if the child is not in high school. If the child is still enrolled in high school, support continues until graduation or age 20. The paying parent does not need to file paperwork, but notifying the other parent in writing is a good practice to avoid disputes.

What if my child is 19 and in college — do I still have to pay?

No. Indiana law does not require support for college-age children. Support ends at 19 unless the child is still in high school. If you want to help pay for college, that is a separate agreement between you and the other parent, not a legal obligation.

Can I stop paying if my child drops out of high school before 19?

No. Support continues until the child turns 19, regardless of school enrollment. Dropping out does not end the obligation early. You must pay until the child's 19th birthday.

What counts as being "in high school" for the purpose of extending support past 19?

Being enrolled in a public, private, or recognized homeschool program counts. The child must be actively enrolled, not just registered. If the child is suspended, expelled, or has withdrawn, they are no longer in high school for this purpose.

How do I prove my child is still in high school if the other parent says they dropped out?

Request school enrollment records directly from the school or ask the school to send them to the court. The school can provide a letter stating the child's current enrollment status. If you file a motion with the court, the school can be ordered to provide these records.