Child Support Past 18 in North Dakota: High School Graduation and Age Limits
In North Dakota, child support runs through the end of the month of the 18th birthday, or for a high school student living with the parent owed support, until the end of the month of graduation or the 19th birthday, whichever is first.
What is the child support age limit in North Dakota?
Eighteen, with support running through the end of that month. A judgment or order requiring support until the child attains majority continues, for a child who is enrolled and attending high school, is 18 before the expected graduation and lives with the person owed support, until the end of the month in which the child graduates or turns 19, whichever is first (NDCC 14-09-08.2(1)). Unless the order sets dates, support continues until the end of the month in which the obligation terminates (14-09-08.3).
What if the child is still in high school at 18?
Support continues to the end of the month of graduation or the 19th birthday, whichever is first.
| Child born | Support runs through | High school limit |
|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2012 | March 31, 2030 | March 31, 2031 |
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2029 | August 31, 2030 |
| November 2, 2015 | November 30, 2033 | November 30, 2034 |
Try your own date in the North Dakota child support end date calculator.
What counts as graduation in North Dakota?
A child is not considered to have graduated, even if all required coursework and examinations are complete, until the school holds the ceremony to commemorate the graduation. For good cause shown by the obligor, the court may find the child graduated on completing all coursework and exams if more than 90 days pass between completion and the ceremony (14-09-08.2(7)(b)).
Does summer count for North Dakota high school support?
Yes. A child is treated as in school during summer vacation if the child was enrolled and attending and did not graduate at the end of the school period just before it (14-09-08.2(7)(a)).
How is the North Dakota extension started?
The person owed support may file a declaration with the child support agency stating that the requirements are met, the school and the anticipated graduation date; support then resumes. No fee may be charged, and the agency serves the declaration on the obligor by first-class mail (14-09-08.2(3)-(4)).
Does support stop on the child’s 18th birthday or at month end?
At the end of the month, because the order continues until the end of the month in which the obligation terminates unless the order says otherwise (14-09-08.3). A child born on March 15 is supported through March 31.
Where does the 90-day graduation exception come from?
From the same section: the court may find the child graduated when the obligor shows good cause and more than 90 days pass between finishing coursework and the ceremony (14-09-08.2(7)). See also the guideline rules for support amounts (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1).
How can the North Dakota payer challenge it?
The obligor can file a motion with a declaration that the child is no longer enrolled and attending or no longer lives with the person owed support, and the court decides. The duty ends by operation of law when the person owed support files a declaration that the requirements are no longer met (14-09-08.2(4)).
Do arrears end when child support ends?
No. Installments already owed stay owed and keep drawing interest. See the North Dakota child support arrears calculator and how long arrears last.
Frequently asked questions
Does child support end at 18 in North Dakota?
Through the end of the month the child turns 18, unless the child is a high school student living with the parent owed support.
How long can North Dakota high school support last?
Until the end of the month of graduation or the 19th birthday, whichever is first.
What counts as graduation for North Dakota child support?
The school's graduation ceremony, not the last exam, unless the court finds good cause after 90 days.
How do I start North Dakota high school child support?
File a declaration with the child support agency, with no fee.
Do arrears end when North Dakota support ends?
No. Installments already owed stay owed and keep drawing interest.
Official sources
- NDCC 14-09-08.2 and 14-09-08.3: support after majority; duration
- NDCC 14-08.1-05: support orders are judgments
- N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1
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 North Dakota 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 Dakota attorney.