If you have to pay child support, you could have various questions regarding these obligations. For example, you might wonder how courts calculate child support or when your order ends. It is crucial to carefully go over these issues and make sure that you do not fall behind.
Failing to pay child support can result in serious consequences, such as license suspension, tax refund interception or a property lien.
Does child support continue after a child turns 18?
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services states that child support orders end when the child reaches the age of legal emancipation (once they turn 18), but there are situations in which child support obligations can continue. For example, if a judicial order or an agreement in writing states otherwise, the non-custodial party could have to pay child support after their child’s 18th birthday.
Furthermore, if a child has not graduated from high school, the state could require the non-custodial parent to continue paying child support until the child turns 19.
What happens to back child support after a child turns 18?
You should also understand that if a non-custodial parent owes unpaid child support when the child reaches the age of legal emancipation, monthly child support obligations could continue until the parent pays the back child support they owe in full.
If you currently owe unpaid child support, doing everything in your power to get caught up is pivotal. On top of setting up a repayment plan, you might benefit from exploring ways you can adjust your budget to help pay child support.