In Maryland, child support ends when the child turns 18 years old. If the child is still enrolled in high school at age 18, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Child support does not terminate automatically — the paying parent must file a Motion to Terminate Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) with the circuit court and pay a $312 filing fee. Maryland courts may extend support indefinitely for adult children with disabilities who cannot become self-supporting.
Key Facts: Maryland Child Support Termination
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Termination Age | 18 years old |
| High School Extension | Until graduation or age 19 (whichever is first) |
| College Support Required | No (unless parents agree in writing) |
| Automatic Termination | No — parent must file a motion |
| Filing Fee (Modification/Termination) | $312 |
| Divorce Filing Fee | $165 (self-represented) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months (if grounds arose outside Maryland) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Mutual consent, 6-month separation, or irreconcilable differences |
| Property Division Type | Equitable distribution |
| Key Statute | Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-201 |
When Child Support Ends at Age 18 in Maryland
Child support in Maryland terminates when the child reaches the age of majority, which is 18, under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 5-203. The parental duty of support, including financial maintenance, care, and education, applies jointly and severally to both parents until the child is no longer a minor. Maryland defines "child" for support guidelines purposes as a person under age 18, or under age 19 if still in secondary school, per Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-201.
The age-18 cutoff applies regardless of custody arrangement, income level, or the child's employment status. Even if a 17-year-old earns significant income, the support obligation does not terminate early unless the child is legally emancipated through a court proceeding. Parents who assume support ends on the child's 18th birthday without filing a motion risk continued wage garnishment and accumulating arrearages that cannot be forgiven retroactively.
Maryland courts processed over 115,000 active child support cases through the Child Support Administration in 2025. The average monthly child support order in Maryland is approximately $500-$600 per month per child, though orders vary widely based on the guidelines schedule in Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-204, which uses both parents' combined adjusted actual income to calculate the basic obligation.
High School Extension: Support Until Age 19
Maryland extends child support until age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school at age 18. Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-201, a child who turns 18 while attending secondary school continues receiving support until graduation or the 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. This extension applies to full-time enrollment in a recognized high school program, including public, private, and accredited homeschool curricula.
The high school extension matters in practice because roughly 8-10% of Maryland high school students are 18 or older at graduation due to late school entry, grade retention, or educational plans. Parents paying support should not file a termination motion until confirming the child has actually graduated. If the paying parent stops payments assuming the child's 18th birthday ends the obligation, the court may find them in contempt and order payment of all missed months plus interest.
The extension does not apply to GED programs, community college, or vocational training. Only enrollment in a secondary school (grades 9-12) qualifies. Once the child graduates high school at any point before turning 19, the support obligation ends on the date of graduation, not at the end of the academic term.
Maryland Does Not Require College Child Support
Maryland law does not permit courts to order parents to pay child support through college. Unlike states such as New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23) or Massachusetts (M.G.L. c. 208, § 28), Maryland has no statutory provision allowing a judge to unilaterally extend support obligations for post-secondary education expenses. When a child turns 18 (or 19 if in high school), the statutory support obligation ends regardless of college enrollment.
The single exception arises when both parents voluntarily agree to contribute to college costs and that agreement is incorporated into a court order, such as a marital settlement agreement or divorce judgment. Once incorporated, the agreement becomes legally enforceable as a contract. Courts will enforce the specific terms — tuition percentages, room-and-board caps, GPA requirements — exactly as written. Parents negotiating divorce settlements should consider including college contribution clauses with specifics: maximum annual amounts, covered expenses (tuition, fees, housing), qualifying institutions, and termination triggers (dropping below full-time enrollment, failing to maintain a 2.0 GPA).
This distinction is critical for parents asking when does child support end in Maryland for college students. The answer is clear: absent a written agreement, it ends at 18 (or 19 with the high school extension). College enrollment alone does not extend the obligation under current Maryland law.
Emancipation and Early Termination of Child Support
Child support may end before age 18 if the child becomes legally emancipated through a Maryland circuit court proceeding. Emancipation is a judicial determination that a minor is legally independent from parental authority and financially self-sufficient. Maryland courts consider emancipation when a child marries, enters active military service, or demonstrates independent living with a verified income source.
Emancipation is not automatic upon any triggering event. The parent seeking to end support must file a petition with the circuit court, provide evidence of the child's independence, and obtain a judicial ruling. Courts rarely emancipate children under age 16, even those who are employed. The filing fee for a related motion is $312, and the process typically takes 30-90 days depending on court scheduling and whether the other parent contests the petition.
Events that may support an emancipation finding include:
- Marriage of the child (any age with parental consent or judicial approval)
- Enlistment in the United States Armed Forces
- Living independently with demonstrated self-support for at least 6 months
- Death of the child (terminates the obligation immediately)
Emancipation eliminates future child support obligations but does not discharge past-due arrearages. If a parent owes $5,000 in back support at the time of emancipation, that debt survives and remains enforceable through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, and contempt proceedings under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 10-134.
Disabled Adult Children: Indefinite Support
Maryland courts may order child support beyond age 18 for adult children with disabilities who cannot become self-supporting. Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 5-203, the parental obligation to support a child extends beyond the age of majority when the child has a physical or mental disability that prevents independent living and self-support. Courts evaluate the severity of the disability, the child's capacity for employment, available government benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid), and both parents' financial resources.
The paying parent does not receive an automatic pass once the child turns 18 in disability cases. The custodial parent or guardian must file a motion to continue support, providing medical evidence of the disability and its impact on the child's ability to earn income. Courts typically require documentation from treating physicians, vocational rehabilitation specialists, or disability determination services.
Support orders for disabled adult children are modifiable. If the child's condition improves, if government benefits increase sufficiently, or if either parent's financial circumstances change materially, either party may file a motion to modify under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-104. The $312 filing fee applies to modification motions.
How to File to Terminate Child Support in Maryland
Terminating child support in Maryland requires filing Form CC-DR-006 (Motion to Modify Child Support) with the circuit court that issued the original child support order, paying the $312 docketing fee, and serving the other parent. The process takes 60-120 days from filing to final order in most Maryland counties, depending on court backlogs and whether the other parent contests the termination.
Step-by-step filing process:
- Obtain Form CC-DR-006 from the Maryland Courts website (mdcourts.gov) or the circuit court clerk's office
- Complete the motion stating grounds for termination (child reached age 18, graduated high school, married, emancipated, etc.)
- File the Financial Statement form with current income documentation
- Pay the $312 filing fee at the circuit court clerk's office (fee waiver available for households at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines — $19,088 for a single person in 2026)
- Serve the other parent with copies of all filed documents
- Attend the hearing and present evidence supporting termination
- Obtain the signed court order terminating support
Parents can also contact the Maryland Child Support Administration (CSA) at 1-800-332-6347 to request a modification/termination package if the case is administered through CSA. The agency may handle the filing process at no cost to the requesting parent.
Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-104, modifications and terminations are not retroactive to any date before the motion is filed. A parent who delays filing for 6 months after the child turns 18 cannot recover those 6 months of payments. File promptly when the triggering event occurs.
Arrearages Survive Termination
Past-due child support does not disappear when the child turns 18 or the support order terminates. Maryland enforces child support arrearages indefinitely through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, property liens, passport denial, and contempt of court proceedings. Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 10-134, earnings withholding continues until both the support obligation has terminated and all arrearages (including interest) have been paid in full.
Maryland charges interest on unpaid child support at the rate of 10% per year on the outstanding balance. A parent who owes $10,000 in arrearages accumulates $1,000 per year in interest alone. The Child Support Administration reported collecting over $800 million in child support payments in fiscal year 2025, with approximately 15-20% of that amount representing arrearage collections rather than current support.
Enforcement tools available to collect arrearages include:
- Income withholding orders sent directly to employers
- Federal and state tax refund intercepts (IRS and Comptroller of Maryland)
- Suspension of driver's license and professional licenses
- Denial or revocation of U.S. passport (for arrearages exceeding $2,500)
- Bank account seizure
- Real property liens
- Contempt of court (up to 12 months incarceration per violation)
The only way to reduce arrearages is to file a motion with the court or negotiate a settlement with the other parent that is approved by the court. The CSA cannot forgive arrearages owed to the custodial parent.
2025-2026 Maryland Child Support Law Changes
Effective October 1, 2025, Maryland enacted significant changes to child support calculations through HB0275/SB1038 (the Multifamily Adjustment Law). Parents supporting children in multiple households now receive a financial adjustment when calculating support obligations. A parent with a child living in their home for 92 or more overnights per year may claim a deduction equal to 75% of the basic child support obligation for that child, even without a court order establishing support for the other child.
Additional 2025 law changes affecting when child support ends in Maryland include:
- Unpaid child support now takes priority over most debts in probate and estate distribution proceedings, including certain tax claims
- Modified procedures for driver's license suspension for non-payment through the Child Support Administration
- Updated income withholding procedures under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 10-134
Maryland also simplified divorce grounds effective October 1, 2023, repealing all fault-based grounds (adultery, desertion, cruelty) under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 7-103. Only three grounds remain: mutual consent (with a signed marital settlement agreement), 6-month continuous separation, and irreconcilable differences. This change does not directly affect child support termination but simplifies the divorce process for parents seeking to resolve all family law matters, including support.
Modification Before Termination: Material Change Standard
Before child support ends entirely, parents may seek modification based on a material change of circumstances under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-104. Maryland courts generally consider a 25% or greater change in either parent's income as sufficient grounds for modification. Job loss, significant raises, disability, remarriage affecting household expenses, or changes in the child's needs (medical expenses, special education) may all qualify.
The modification process uses the same Form CC-DR-006 and $312 filing fee as termination. Courts recalculate support using the guidelines in Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-204 based on updated income information from both parents. The new amount applies from the date the motion was filed — not retroactively to the date the circumstances changed.
Parents receiving support through CSA can request a review every 3 years without showing a material change. CSA will recalculate based on current incomes and either file a modification or confirm the existing amount. This administrative review process is free and does not require court appearance unless the parties disagree with the proposed new amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does child support automatically stop at 18 in Maryland?
No. Child support does not automatically terminate at age 18 in Maryland. The paying parent must file a Motion to Terminate Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) with the circuit court and pay a $312 filing fee. Until a court order terminates support, the obligation continues and unpaid amounts accrue as arrearages with 10% annual interest. Contact the Maryland Child Support Administration at 1-800-332-6347 to begin the process.
When does child support end in Maryland if my child is still in high school?
Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-201, child support continues until the child graduates from high school or turns 19, whichever occurs first. This applies only to secondary school enrollment (grades 9-12), not GED programs, community college, or vocational training. Approximately 8-10% of Maryland students are 18 or older at graduation.
Does Maryland require parents to pay child support through college?
No. Maryland law does not authorize courts to order child support for college-age children. Support ends at 18 (or 19 with the high school extension). The only exception is when both parents voluntarily agree to college contributions in a written agreement incorporated into a court order, such as a marital settlement agreement or divorce judgment.
Can child support continue past 18 for a disabled child in Maryland?
Yes. Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 5-203, courts may order indefinite child support for adult children with physical or mental disabilities who cannot become self-supporting. The custodial parent must file a motion with medical documentation proving the disability prevents independent living. Both parents' financial resources and available government benefits (SSI, SSDI) are considered.
How much does it cost to file for child support termination in Maryland?
The docketing fee for a Motion to Modify or Terminate Child Support in Maryland is $312, as of March 2026. Fee waivers are available for households at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines ($19,088 for a single person in 2026). Cases administered through the Child Support Administration (CSA) may be processed at no cost by calling 1-800-332-6347. Verify fees at mdcourts.gov/circuit/feeschedule.
What happens to back child support when my child turns 18?
Past-due child support (arrearages) survives the child's 18th birthday and remains enforceable indefinitely in Maryland. Arrearages accrue interest at 10% per year. Enforcement tools include wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, driver's license suspension, passport denial (for debts over $2,500), bank account seizure, and contempt proceedings carrying up to 12 months incarceration per violation.
Can my child be emancipated to end child support early in Maryland?
Yes, but emancipation requires a court filing — it is not automatic. Maryland courts may emancipate minors who marry, enlist in the military, or live independently with verified income. Courts rarely emancipate children under 16. The filing fee is $312, and the process takes 30-90 days. Emancipation ends future support but does not erase past-due arrearages.
How do the 2025 Maryland child support law changes affect termination?
Effective October 1, 2025, Maryland enacted the Multifamily Adjustment Law (HB0275/SB1038), allowing a 75% deduction for children in multiple households (92+ overnights per year). Additionally, unpaid child support now takes priority over most debts in estate proceedings. These changes affect calculation and enforcement but do not change the age-18/19 termination rules.
What is the residency requirement to file for child support modification in Maryland?
Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 7-101, if the grounds for filing arose in Maryland, you only need to be currently residing in the state. If grounds arose outside Maryland, at least one party must have lived in Maryland for 6 months before filing. File in the circuit court of the county where either party resides.
Can I modify child support before it ends in Maryland?
Yes. Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-104, either parent may file for modification based on a material change of circumstances. A 25% or greater change in income generally qualifies. The $312 filing fee applies. Cases through CSA qualify for free administrative review every 3 years without showing a material change. Modifications apply from the filing date — not retroactively.