Does Child Support End at 18 in Atlanta?

If your child is approaching adulthood, you might wonder whether child support will soon end. You might have heard that child support in Atlanta ends when the child turns 18. But is this really true? Are there any exceptions? How do you plan for the end of child support? These are questions you might want to ask an experienced child custody lawyer in Atlanta.

Child Support Usually Ends at 18 

Yes, it is true that child support usually ends at 18. This is the year your child will reach legal adulthood, and there will no longer be any justification for the other parent to provide support for them. As a legal adult, your child is expected to support themselves financially. Child support may also end when your child graduates high school, assuming they graduate after turning 18.

Are There Any Exceptions? 

Yes, your child may continue to receive child support past the age of 18 if they are disabled. They might also continue to receive child support until 19 if they fail to graduate alongside other students their age. Finally, it is possible for child support to end earlier than 18 if your child enlists in the military and becomes legally emancipated.

While these exceptions are relatively less common, they are worth discussing with your family law attorney if they may apply to your situation. It might be difficult to assess your personal circumstances without legal knowledge, and you might be able to extend your child support payments for longer than you realize. For example, your child may have a disability you hadn’t previously considered.

 How to Plan for the End of Child Support 

If your child will soon turn 18, you may need to plan for the end of child support. If you are relying on these funds to support your current lifestyle, you might need to make certain changes. Fortunately, you may also face reduced childcare expenses after your child turns 18. For example, your child might move out of your home or begin attending college. This should result in fewer childcare expenses – including food.

That said, an increasing number of children are continuing to live at home after turning 18. This means that you may continue to incur childcare expenses even as your child moves into their 20s and beyond. Consider speaking with your child and asking them whether they can pay rent, assist with groceries, or make some other financial contribution to the household. To make this living situation economically feasible, your adult child may need to find employment.

 Can a Child Support Lawyer in Atlanta Help Me? 

A child support lawyer in Atlanta may be able to help you determine whether your payments will soon end. Although payments usually end when your child turns 18, there are a few notable exceptions to consider. An experienced child support lawyer may also help you transition to a new financial reality after losing access to these payments. To learn more, contact Kaye, Lembeck, Hitt & French at your earliest convenience.

Sources: 

childsupport.georgia.gov/

southernjudicialcircuit.com/selfhelp/miscforms/emancipationminor.pdf