Child Support Past 18 in Indiana: High School Graduation and Age Limits
In Indiana, child support runs until the child is 19, not 18. It ends sooner on emancipation, and a parent can file a notice between the 17th and 19th birthdays to continue support until a full-time high school student graduates.
What is the child support age limit in Indiana?
Nineteen. The duty to support a child under the support chapter, which does not include support for educational needs, ceases when the child becomes 19, unless one of the listed conditions occurs (IC 31-16-6-6(a)). So Indiana support does not stop at 18 the way it does in many states.
Can Indiana support end before 19?
Yes, in two ways. The child can be emancipated, and then support ends at emancipation although an educational needs order can continue. Or the child is at least 18, has not attended secondary school or a postsecondary institution for the prior four months, is not enrolled, and is or could be self-supporting; support then ends on the court’s finding, and if the child is only partly self-supporting the court may modify instead (31-16-6-6(a)(1), (a)(3)).
What if the child is still in high school at 19?
Support continues until graduation if the child is a full-time secondary student and a parent or guardian files notice with the court and the other party. The notice may be filed no earlier than the child’s 17th birthday and no later than the 19th birthday, and must include proof of enrollment and the expected graduation date. If no party objects or requests a hearing within 30 days, the court may continue support to the expected graduation date without a hearing (31-16-6-6(a)(4), (c)-(d)).
| Child born | Notice window opens (17th birthday) | Notice must be filed by (19th birthday) |
|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2012 | March 15, 2029 | March 15, 2031 |
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2028 | August 31, 2030 |
| November 2, 2015 | November 2, 2032 | November 2, 2034 |
Try your own date in the Indiana child support end date calculator.
Does the notice have to be filed every year?
The statute describes a single notice with proof of enrollment and the expected graduation date. Because the window closes at the 19th birthday, file early in the window and keep the proof of enrollment.
Who decides emancipation?
The court. If it finds the child is on active duty in the armed services, has married, or is not under the care or control of either parent or an individual or agency approved by the court, it shall find the child emancipated and terminate support (31-16-6-6(b)).
Which orders have the high school notice?
The notice route applies to the support duty under the support chapter for a full-time secondary student, and the notice must reach the court and each party to the support proceeding. A parent or guardian files it, not the child, and the statute gives each party 30 days to object or ask for a hearing (31-16-6-6(c)-(d)).
Do I have to file to end child support at 19?
The statute sets the end point, but withholding keeps running until it is stopped. Ask the court or the agency to end it in writing and keep proof of the child’s birth date. See how to modify child support in Indiana.
Do arrears end when child support ends?
No. The obligation to pay arrearages does not terminate when the duty to support the child ceases (31-16-12-3). See the Indiana child support arrears calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does child support end at 18 in Indiana?
No. It ends at 19 unless an exception applies.
How do I extend Indiana child support for a high school student?
A parent files notice with proof of enrollment and the expected graduation date between the child's 17th and 19th birthdays.
What happens if nobody objects to the Indiana notice?
After 30 days without an objection or hearing request, the court may continue support to graduation without a hearing.
What events make an Indiana child emancipated?
Active military duty, marriage, or not being under the care or control of a parent or an approved individual or agency.
Do arrears end when Indiana support ends?
No. The obligation to pay arrearages continues.
Official sources
- IC 31-16-6-6: duration of the duty to support
- IC 31-16-6-2: educational support
- IC 31-16-6-1: support orders
- IC 31-16-12-3: arrearages survive the end of the duty
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 Indiana statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Indiana attorney.