Child Support Past 18 in Texas: High School Graduation and Age Limits
In Texas, a court may order child support until 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later, but past 18 only while the child is enrolled and meeting attendance rules. Arrears stay owed.
What is the child support age limit in Texas?
The court may order support until the child is 18 or until graduation from high school, whichever occurs later (Tex. Fam. Code 154.001(a)(1)). Read your order: it states how it ends.
What if the child is still in high school at 18?
The court may provide support past the 18th birthday only if the child is enrolled in an accredited secondary school in a program leading toward a diploma (or in joint high school and junior college courses, or full-time in a private secondary school) and is meeting the attendance requirements; the request may be filed before or after the 18th birthday, and the order may continue payments through the end of the graduation month (154.002).
| Child born (graduating in May of the year they turn 18) | Turns 18 | Support can run to |
|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2012 | March 15, 2030 | May 31, 2030 |
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2029 | August 31, 2029 |
| November 2, 2015 | November 2, 2033 | November 2, 2033 |
Try your own dates in the Texas child support end date calculator.
What if a Texas child stops attending school?
The order terminates on a court finding that the child is 18 or older and has failed to comply with the enrollment or attendance requirements (154.006(a)(4)).
Can a Texas request be filed after 18?
Yes. A request for a support order through high school graduation may be filed before or after the child’s 18th birthday (154.002(b)).
How is graduation proved?
Send a school letter or diploma to the court, the clerk and the agency if it enforces your case, and keep the delivery receipt; the order terminates on the listed events unless it says otherwise (154.006).
Can I file for support through graduation after the 18th birthday?
Yes. The request may be filed before or after the child’s 18th birthday (154.002(b)).
Does the 18th birthday matter for contempt?
A contempt motion for unpaid support can be filed until the second anniversary of the date the child becomes an adult or support ends (157.005(a)), so unpaid support does not vanish on the birthday.
What if the child enrolled in a joint high school and junior college program?
Courses for joint high school and junior college credit under the Education Code count as enrollment for support past 18, with the attendance rules that apply (154.002(a)(1)(B)).
What if the child is in a private school?
A child enrolled full-time in a private secondary school in a program leading toward a diploma counts, and the private school’s own minimum attendance requirements apply (154.002(a)(1)(C), (a)(2)(B)).
Do I have to do anything for a Texas order to end?
The statute ends the order on the listed events unless the order says otherwise, but withholding and the agency’s records need a court or agency step. Send proof of graduation or the event and ask in writing.
Do arrears end when child support ends?
No. Unpaid support stays owed and enforceable; a motion requesting a money judgment can be filed until the tenth anniversary of the date the child becomes an adult or support ends (157.005(b)). See the Texas child support arrears calculator and how long arrears last.
Frequently asked questions
Does child support end at 18 in Texas?
It can run to the later of 18 and high school graduation, as the order provides.
How long can Texas high school support last?
Through the end of the month in which the child graduates, if the order says so.
What ends Texas child support besides age?
Marriage, removal of disabilities, death or enlistment, unless the order says otherwise.
Can I ask for Texas support through graduation after the child turns 18?
Yes. The request may be filed before or after the 18th birthday.
Do arrears end when Texas support ends?
No. Installments already owed stay owed.
Official sources
- Tex. Fam. Code 154.001: support of child
- Tex. Fam. Code 154.002: support through high school graduation
- Tex. Fam. Code 154.006: termination of duty of support
- Tex. Fam. Code 154.302: support for disabled child
- Tex. Fam. Code 157.005: time limitations
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 Texas statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Texas attorney.