Child Support Obligation

by Nitza from Boca Raton, Florida, Palm Beach County

Child Support Obligation: My sons are turning 18 and graduating from high school.

Their father has asked me to call the court to initiate the cancellation of his garnished child support payments.

My sons will be going to college this fall. Does he has any obligations?

What happens if I do not stop the garnishment? Am I in contempt?

Answer to Florida Child Support Question

Dear Nitza,

You might not technically be in contempt of court, but you also may not be following the law.

If the Final Order of Dissolution, or Child Support Order states that your son's father's obligation to pay child support ends at age 18 – then that is when his obligation ends.

Some child support orders state that the obligor must continue to pay child support beyond the age of majority, such as until the child graduates from college.

However, if this is not specifically stated in the Final Judgment, then the father has no continuing legal obligation to support them. They are considered adults (emancipated) at age 18 or until they graduate high school if 19.

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