In most cases, custody and support orders remain in effect until the child reaches the age of majority or completes high school. In some cases, such as where a child has disabilities, the custody and support obligations continue even after the child turns eighteen.
Full Answer
Duration of Support Obligations In most cases, custody and support orders remain in effect until the child reaches the age of majority or completes high school. In some cases, such as where a child has disabilities, the custody and support obligations continue even after the child turns eighteen.
For example, if a child support settlement agreement has become a court order, and the payor parent repeatedly fails to make support payments on time, the other parent can go to court to enforce the child support order.
The court will consider the custody arrangement in determining support obligations, but is not the sole determining factor. A parent may be required to provide support payments regardless of whether he or she has joint or primary physical custody of the child.
If parents are willing, they can negotiate their child support agreement with or without the assistance of attorneys. The issues that must be decided include: Who pays? Any additional items to be covered beyond basic support (private school, daycare, activities, college)