College and Adult Child Support in North Carolina: Post-Secondary and Disabled Children

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

We found no North Carolina provision for court-ordered college support. A person incapable of self-support at majority keeps a minor’s custody rights, but we found no matching support rule in the sections we read.

Does child support cover college in North Carolina?

We found no provision in the sections we read that lets a court order support for college. The statute ends support at 18, or at graduation or 20 for a school student (G.S. 50-13.4(c)). Parents can agree in writing to help with college and ask the court to approve the agreement so it can be enforced.

Is there child support for a disabled adult child in North Carolina?

For the purposes of custody, the rights of a person who is mentally or physically incapable of self-support upon reaching majority are the same as a minor child for as long as he or she remains incapable (G.S. 50-13.8). We found no matching sentence for support in the sections we read, so talk to a licensed North Carolina attorney about support before the 18th birthday.

Who gets to decide whether a child is incapable of self-support?

The court, on evidence of the child’s condition (G.S. 50-13.8 speaks of mental or physical incapacity). Bring medical records and benefit decisions that date the incapacity before majority.

What if my child has a disability and is still in high school at 18?

Then the school extension can apply: support runs to graduation, ceasing regular attendance, failing academic progress or 20, whichever comes first (50-13.4(c)(2)). Beyond that, the sections we read give no rule.

What are the age limits for a given birth date?

After those dates, college help comes only from an agreement.

How should a college agreement be written?

• Which costs are covered: tuition, housing, books or a cap.
• Each parent’s share and when payments are due.
• Grade or enrollment conditions and what happens if the child leaves school.
• An end date or maximum number of years.
• Court approval so the agreement can be enforced.

Can the court order support for an adult child past 20?

The section we read ends payments for a child at 18, with the school extension capped at 20 (G.S. 50-13.4(c)). We found no authority for support past 20 except under a written agreement.

What about a parent who dies?

Vested payments stop accruing from the date of the supporting party’s death, and no arrearage accrues after the child’s death (50-13.10(d)). Ask an attorney about claims against an estate.

What if the child lives with the paying parent?

No arrearage accrues while the child lives with the supporting party under a valid court order or an express or implied agreement transferring primary custody (50-13.10(d)(3)). Put any such agreement in writing.

Can the amount be changed later?

A motion can address support while the child is a minor, on changed circumstances, but only for payments not yet vested (50-13.10(a)). For an agreement past school age, write its own review terms.

What about unpaid support from before?

It stays owed: see whether North Carolina arrears can be changed and the North Carolina child support end date calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• G.S. 50-13.4: support of minor child; termination
• G.S. 50-13.8: persons incapable of self-support
• G.S. 110-136.10: termination of withholding
• G.S. 50-13.10: past due support vested

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