Quick answer: When does child support end in Missouri? At 18, unless the child is still in secondary school (until graduation or 21), enrolled in college or vocational school with at least 12 credit hours and passing grades (until completion or 21), or incapacitated and unmarried (court may extend). Marriage, death, active military duty or self-support also end it.
This Missouri child support end date calculator finds the 18th birthday under RSMo 452.340 and the 21st birthday cap for a student. Past-due support stays owed, so check the balance in the Missouri child support arrears calculator.
When does child support end in Missouri? At a glance
| Rule | What Missouri says |
|---|---|
| Basic rule | Support ends when the child reaches 18, unless an extension applies (RSMo 452.340.3) |
| Other events | Death, marriage, active military duty, or becoming self-supporting with the custodial parent’s consent (452.340.3) |
| Secondary school | Continues until the program is completed or 21, whichever is first, if the child is enrolled and attending at 18 and progressing (452.340.5) |
| Vocational or higher education | Enroll by October 1 after graduation; 12 credit hours a semester (9 if working 15 hours a week); transcript each semester; until completion or 21 (452.340.5) |
| Incapacitated child | If physically or mentally incapacitated from self-support, insolvent and unmarried, the court may extend support past 18 (452.340.4) |
| Notice of emancipation | The parent receiving support must tell the paying parent or owe back support paid afterward plus interest (452.370.4) |
How does the Missouri end date work?
- Age 18 and the secondary school extension. See the Missouri child support age limit and the secondary school extension.
- College, vocational school and incapacitated children. See child support for college in Missouri.
- Emancipation and ending the order. See emancipation and whether child support ends automatically in Missouri.
What does this end date calculator check?
You enter the child’s birth date and the calculator returns the 18th birthday and the time left from today. If you say the child will be in secondary school or in college at the right credit load, it shows the 21st birthday cap, and it notes the incapacity extension. It cannot read your judgment: if it says otherwise, it controls. To change the amount before it ends, see the Missouri child support modification calculator.
Frequently asked questions
At what age does child support end in Missouri?
At 18, unless the child is in secondary school (to graduation or 21), in college or vocational school at the required credit load (to completion or 21), or incapacitated (court may extend).
Does Missouri child support continue through high school?
Yes. If the child is enrolled and attending secondary school at 18 and progressing, support continues until graduation or 21, whichever comes first.
Does Missouri child support cover college?
Yes, up to 21: the child must enroll by October 1 after graduation, complete at least 12 credit hours a semester, keep passing grades and give each parent a transcript each semester.
Can Missouri child support continue for a disabled adult child?
Yes. The court may extend support past 18 if the child is physically or mentally incapacitated from supporting himself or herself, insolvent and unmarried.
Does Missouri child support end automatically?
Unless the judgment says otherwise, support is terminated by emancipation, but the receiving parent must notify the paying parent.