Child Support Past 18 in Georgia: High School Graduation and Age Limits
In Georgia, the duty to support a minor child ends at 18, or at marriage, emancipation or death if earlier. For orders entered on or after July 1, 1992 the court may direct assistance for a child still attending secondary school, but not after age 20.
What is the child support age limit in Georgia?
Eighteen. The age of legal majority in Georgia is 18 (O.C.G.A. 39-1-1), and the duty to provide support for a minor child continues until the child reaches the age of majority, dies, marries or becomes emancipated, whichever first occurs (19-6-15(e)).
Does child support continue through high school in Georgia?
Not automatically, but the court can order it. In any temporary, final or modified order entered in a divorce, separate maintenance, legitimacy or paternity proceeding on or after July 1, 1992, the court may, in its discretion, direct either or both parents to provide financial assistance to a child who has not married or become emancipated, is enrolled in and attending secondary school and reached the age of majority before completing secondary school, but not after the child reaches 20 (19-6-15(e)). If your order does not include it, support ends at 18.
What date does Georgia child support end? Examples
The usual end date is the 18th birthday, and the secondary-school cap is the 20th:
| Child born | Support usually ends (18) | Latest assistance for a secondary school student (20th birthday) |
|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2012 | March 15, 2030 | March 15, 2032 |
| August 31, 2010 | August 31, 2028 | August 31, 2030 |
| November 2, 2015 | November 2, 2033 | November 2, 2035 |
Try your own date in the Georgia child support end date calculator.
How does the age 20 cap work? Examples
A child who turns 18 in the spring of senior year usually finishes secondary school that year, so any assistance would run only to graduation. The cap matters only for a child who reaches majority well before finishing:
| Child born | Turns 18 | No assistance after (age 20) |
|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2010 | September 30, 2028 | September 30, 2030 |
| January 10, 2011 | January 10, 2029 | January 10, 2031 |
The assistance is discretionary, so it exists only if the order provides it.
What about orders entered before July 1, 1992?
The secondary-school provision applies to orders entered on or after July 1, 1992 in divorce, separate maintenance, legitimacy or paternity proceedings. For older orders, the duty ends at majority, death, marriage or emancipation (19-6-15(e)).
Who can enforce the support?
The provisions can be enforced by either parent, by any nonparent custodian, by a guardian appointed to receive child support, or by the child for whose benefit the support is ordered (19-6-15(e)).
What if there are several children?
The statute ends the duty for each minor child at that child’s own majority, marriage, emancipation or death. To reduce the amount when one of several children ages out, check your order and file a petition to modify if needed.
Do I have to file to end child support at 18?
The duty ends by the terms of the statute, but the statutes we read do not describe a step that stops an income deduction order by itself. Ask the court or the agency to end the deduction once support has ended, and keep records.
Do arrears end when child support ends?
No. Each installment that became a judgment stays owed. See the Georgia child support arrears calculator and how long arrears last.
Frequently asked questions
Does child support end at 18 in Georgia?
Yes, at the age of majority, unless the court has directed assistance for a child still in secondary school.
How long can Georgia secondary school assistance last?
Until the child finishes secondary school and never after the child reaches 20.
What orders can include Georgia secondary school assistance?
Temporary, final or modified orders in divorce, separate maintenance, legitimacy or paternity proceedings entered on or after July 1, 1992.
Who can enforce Georgia child support?
Either parent, a nonparent custodian, a guardian appointed to receive support, or the child.
Do arrears end when Georgia support ends?
No. Installments that became judgments stay owed.
Official sources
- O.C.G.A. 19-6-15(e): duration of child support responsibility
- O.C.G.A. 39-1-1: age of legal majority
- O.C.G.A. 19-6-17: judgments by operation of law
- O.C.G.A. 19-6-32: income deduction orders
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Georgia statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Georgia attorney.