Child Support Past 18 in Louisiana: High School Graduation and Age Limits

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

In Louisiana, child support ends automatically at majority, 18, unless the child is an unmarried, dependent, full-time student in secondary school or its equivalent who has not attained 19. Marriage or leaving school ends the extension.

What is the child support age limit in Louisiana?

Eighteen, the age of majority. When there is a child support award in a specific amount per child, the award for each child terminates automatically without any action by the obligor upon the child’s attaining majority or emancipation; an award in globo for two or more children terminates when the youngest child attains majority or is emancipated (La. R.S. 9:315.22(A)-(B)).

What if the child is still in high school at 18?

An award continues automatically for any unmarried child who attains majority, or is emancipated, as long as the child is a full-time student in good standing in a secondary school or its equivalent, has not attained the age of nineteen and is dependent upon either parent. Either the primary domiciliary parent or the major or emancipated child is the proper party to enforce it (9:315.22(C)). So support can end before the 19th birthday if the child graduates or leaves school.

Try your own date in the Louisiana child support end date calculator.

Can the parents agree to end earlier or later?

A parent may agree to provide continued support, and the court decides whether an agreement to provide additional support has been made (9:315.22(D)(3)). For an earlier end, ask the court for a consent judgment instead of stopping payments.

Who can ask the court to enforce the student extension?

Either the primary domiciliary parent or the major or emancipated child is the proper party to enforce an award continued under the student rule (9:315.22(C)). If you are the paying parent, ask for proof of enrollment each school year.

What does Louisiana dependent on either parent mean?

The statute requires the child to be dependent upon either parent; a child who is married, or who supports himself or herself, falls outside the rule. Keep school records and proof of residence to show dependence.

What if the child turns 19 before graduating?

The student extension stops when the child has attained 19. A child who is still in school after that is outside it, so check the date in the Louisiana child support end date calculator and ask a licensed attorney about any agreement to support beyond it.

Where is the rule written?

In R.S. 9:315.22(C) and the pleading rules in 9:315.14; the termination language for per-child and in globo awards is in 9:315.22(A)-(B). Read your judgment too, because it may state an end date or event that matches the statute.

Does a GED count?

The statute covers a secondary school or its equivalent, so a full-time student in good standing in an equivalent program can qualify, as long as the child has not attained 19.

Do I have to file to end child support?

The award terminates automatically without any action by the obligor at majority or emancipation, but income withholding keeps running until the employer is told to stop. Ask the court or DCFS to end it in writing and keep proof of the child’s birth date. See how to modify child support in Louisiana.

Do arrears end when child support ends?

No. Installments already owed stay owed. See the Louisiana child support arrears calculator and how long arrears last.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• La. R.S. 9:315.22: termination at majority or emancipation; exceptions
• La. R.S. 9:315.14: disabled children; proof and pleadings
• La. R.S. 9:311: modification
• La. R.S. 9:311.1: suspension during incarceration

This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Louisiana statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Louisiana attorney.