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

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

In North Carolina, child support ends at 18, or for a child still in school at 18, at graduation, ceasing attendance, failing academic progress or age 20, whichever comes first. Arrears keep being paid after it ends.

What is the child support age limit in North Carolina?

Eighteen. Payments ordered for the support of a child terminate when the child reaches 18, except that if the child is otherwise emancipated, payments terminate at that time (G.S. 50-13.4(c)).

What if the child is still in school at 18?

If the child is still in primary or secondary school at 18, support continues until the child graduates, otherwise ceases to attend school on a regular basis, fails to make satisfactory academic progress towards graduation, or reaches 20, whichever comes first, unless the court orders that payments cease at 18 or before graduation (50-13.4(c)(2)).

Try your own date in the North Carolina child support end date calculator.

Does North Carolina support end by itself?

In the case of graduation or reaching 20, payments terminate without order by the court, subject to the recipient’s right to show on motion and notice that the child has not graduated or reached 20 (50-13.4(c)). In practice, withholding keeps running until it is stopped, so ask in writing.

What is a cooperative innovative high school in North Carolina?

For a child enrolled in a cooperative innovative high school program under Article 16, Part 9 of G.S. Chapter 115C, payments terminate when the child completes the fourth year of enrollment or reaches 18, whichever is later (50-13.4(c)(3)); the statute notes its applicability in an editor’s note. Ask if your child is in such a program.

Can a North Carolina court end support at 18 even if the child is in school?

Yes. The student rule applies unless the court in its discretion orders payments to cease at 18 or before high school graduation (50-13.4(c)(2)). Read your order.

What happens to arrears when support ends?

If an arrearage or fees are due when support terminates, payments continue in the same total amount that was due before and are applied to the arrearage until it and the fees are paid or until the court orders otherwise (50-13.4(c)). See the North Carolina child support arrears calculator and whether arrears can be changed.

Where do I read the Child Support Guidelines about school?

The statute sets the school rule itself; the guidelines tell the court how to compute the amount (G.S. 50-13.4(c1)). Read your order for any different end date.

Can the other parent argue the child has not graduated?

Yes. The recipient may show on motion and with notice that the child has not graduated or attained 20 (G.S. 50-13.4(c)). Keep school records and tell the court promptly if the child graduates early.

What if the child stops going to school at 17?

Support continues to 18 for a minor, but the school-related extension needs the child to be in school at 18. A child who has left school, been emancipated or fails satisfactory academic progress can lose the extension; the court decides disputes.

Where is the termination rule written?

In G.S. 50-13.4(c), the same section that sets the monthly due date and the guidelines (the statute); withholding ends under G.S. 110-136.10 when the payor is told the order has expired.

Do I have to file to end child support?

At 18, 20 or graduation the payments terminate without order, but ask the court or the agency in writing to end income withholding and keep proof of the child’s birth date and graduation. See how to modify child support in North Carolina.

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.