Am I required to continue paying child support for my son indefinitely?

Full question:

My son has dropped out of school in Austin before the completion of his graduation. My ex-wife has been least bothered about his education. Since our divorce, I have been paying $120 every week as child support. I have given up hope. I have two more kids to care for. He is not going to finish school. Am I obliged to keep paying for my son for an indefinite time?

  • Category: Divorce
  • Subcategory: Child Support
  • Date:
  • State: Texas

Answer:

In Texas, child support obligations can end under certain conditions as outlined in Tex. Fam. Code § 154.006. Child support typically terminates when:

  • The child gets married.
  • The child turns 18 and is not enrolled in school.
  • The child passes away.
  • A court finds that the child is 18 or older and has not met the enrollment or attendance requirements (Tex. Fam. Code § 154.002).

If your son has dropped out of school and is over 18, you are no longer legally required to pay child support unless there is a written agreement stating otherwise. You are not obligated to continue payments if he is not enrolled in an accredited program leading to a high school diploma.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

To stop child support payments in Texas, you must file a petition with the court that issued the original child support order. You can request a modification or termination of support based on changes in circumstances, such as the child turning 18 or not being enrolled in school. It's essential to follow legal procedures and obtain a court order to officially end your obligation. Simply stopping payments without court approval can lead to legal consequences.