In Nevada, 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. Exceptions include emancipation (available at age 16 under NRS 129.080), marriage of the child, or indefinite extension for a child with a disability that occurred before age 18 under NRS 125B.110. Filing a motion to terminate child support costs approximately $25 in Nevada district courts. Nevada does not require parents to pay for college through child support.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Termination Age | 18 years old |
| High School Exception | Continues to graduation or age 19, whichever is first |
| Filing Fee (Motion to Modify/Terminate) | ~$25 (subsequent motion) |
| Initial Divorce Filing Fee | $284 (Washoe County) to $364 (Clark County) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 weeks of physical presence in Nevada |
| Grounds for Divorce | No-fault (incompatibility) or fault-based |
| Property Division | Community property (50/50) |
| Waiting Period | No mandatory waiting period after filing |
| Governing Statutes | NRS Chapter 125B; NAC Chapter 425 |
When Does Child Support End in Nevada?
Child support in Nevada terminates when the child reaches age 18 under NAC 425.160. If the child is still attending high school at 18, the obligation extends until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever occurs first. This high school exception applies automatically without requiring a separate court order, provided the original support order does not specify otherwise.
Nevada follows a straightforward age-based termination framework established in the Nevada Administrative Code. Unlike states such as New York (which extends support to age 21) or Mississippi (age 21), Nevada aligns with the majority of states that set 18 as the standard cutoff. The termination applies per child in multi-child orders where amounts are individually allocated. For orders that list a single combined amount for multiple children, the paying parent must file a motion to modify the total when one child ages out.
Under NRS 125B.100, even after a child reaches adulthood, the paying parent must continue making payments until all arrearages are fully satisfied. Back child support does not disappear when the child turns 18. Nevada courts enforce arrearage collection through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt proceedings. In 2026, federal law also denies passport issuance or renewal for any parent owing more than $2,500 in child support arrearages under 42 U.S.C. § 652(k).
How Nevada Calculates Child Support
Nevada uses a tiered income-percentage model under NAC 425.140, applying 16% of the first $6,000 in monthly gross income for one child, with reduced percentages for income above that threshold. This formula replaced the older flat-percentage system on February 1, 2020, creating three income tiers that better account for high-earning parents.
The current Nevada child support formula operates as follows:
| Number of Children | First $6,000/month | $6,001–$10,000/month | Over $10,000/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 16% | 8% | 4% |
| 2 children | 22% | 11% | 6% |
| 3 children | 26% | 13% | 6% |
| 4 children | 28% | 14% | 7% |
| Each additional child | +2% | +1% | +0.5% |
For a parent earning $7,000 per month with one child, the calculation would be: 16% of $6,000 ($960) plus 8% of $1,000 ($80), totaling $1,040 per month. Nevada courts may deviate from these guidelines under NRS 125B.080 based on nine statutory factors, including the special educational needs of the child, the obligor's legal responsibility for supporting others, the relative income of both parents, and the cost of health insurance. Any deviation requires written findings of fact explaining why the guidelines amount would be unjust.
The Administrative Office of the Courts publishes updated presumptive maximum amounts annually, adjusted for changes in the Consumer Price Index. Parents can request a review and modification of child support every three years under NRS 125B.145, or at any time if either parent's income changes by 20% or more.
Emancipation and Early Termination of Child Support
A Nevada minor aged 16 or older may petition for emancipation under NRS 129.080, which terminates the parental support obligation upon court approval. The emancipation filing fee is $255 in Washoe County. Emancipation requires the minor to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency, legal income sources, and that they are living apart from their parents or guardians with parental consent.
Nevada recognizes several events that terminate child support before the child turns 18:
- Emancipation by court decree under NRS 129.080–129.130: The minor must be at least 16, living independently, and financially self-supporting
- Marriage of the minor child: A married minor is legally emancipated in Nevada
- Death of the child or the obligor parent
- Legal adoption of the child by another family under NRS 125B.120: Adoption transfers the support obligation to the adoptive parent
- Entry into military service: Active-duty military service functions as a form of emancipation
The emancipation petition must include the minor's name, age, address, parents' information, employment and education details, and proof of financial independence. Under NRS 129.120, the court holds a mandatory hearing where it personally addresses the petitioner, explains the legal consequences of emancipation, and evaluates whether emancipation serves the minor's best interests. A successful emancipation decree removes the disability of minority for contracts, property ownership, litigation, and medical decisions, but does not override age restrictions on alcohol, gaming, or marriage.
Child Support for Disabled Adult Children in Nevada
Nevada extends child support beyond age 18 for a child with a disability under NRS 125B.110, requiring a parent to provide support until the child is no longer disabled or becomes self-supporting. The disability must have occurred before the child reached the age of majority. This indefinite extension requires a separate court order and is not automatic.
To obtain an order for adult disabled child support, the custodial parent must file a motion in the district court that originally handled the divorce or custody case. The motion should include medical documentation establishing the nature and extent of the disability, evidence that the disability began before age 18, and proof that the adult child cannot support themselves independently. Nevada courts consider whether the adult child receives public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid when determining the appropriate support amount.
A parent ordered to pay support for a disabled adult child may petition to terminate the obligation if the child's condition improves to the point of self-sufficiency. The burden of proof falls on the parent seeking termination. Nevada courts have held that a child's receipt of some public assistance does not automatically eliminate the parental support obligation, as public benefits may not fully cover the child's needs.
Does Nevada Require Parents to Pay for College?
Nevada does not require parents to pay for college or post-secondary education through child support orders. No provision in NRS Chapter 125B authorizes courts to order parents to contribute to higher education expenses. Child support terminates at age 18 (or 19 with the high school exception), regardless of whether the child plans to attend college.
Nevada is among approximately 34 states that do not mandate college support contributions. States like Indiana, Iowa, and Utah allow courts to order college support under certain circumstances, but Nevada has no such statute. However, parents may voluntarily agree to share college costs as part of a divorce settlement or stipulated agreement. Nevada courts enforce these voluntary agreements as contract terms, meaning a parent who agrees in writing to pay 50% of college tuition can be held to that commitment even though the court could not have imposed the obligation independently.
Parents negotiating a divorce settlement should address college expenses explicitly if they wish to share those costs. Common provisions include specifying the type of institution covered (public in-state versus private), setting a cap on annual contributions, requiring the child to maintain a minimum GPA, and establishing a cutoff age (such as 23 or 25). Without a written agreement, Nevada law provides no mechanism to compel either parent to contribute to post-secondary education.
How to File a Motion to Terminate Child Support in Nevada
Filing a motion to terminate child support in Nevada costs approximately $25 for a subsequent motion in both Clark County and Washoe County district courts. The process requires completing court forms, serving the other parent, and obtaining a court order. As of March 2026, verify exact fees with your local clerk.
Follow these steps to file for termination:
- Attempt resolution with the other parent first, as Nevada court rules require good-faith efforts before filing. Failure to attempt resolution may result in sanctions.
- Complete the Motion to Modify Custody, Visitation and/or Child Support form, available from the Nevada Self-Help Center at selfhelp.nvcourts.gov in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Mandarin.
- Attach a Financial Disclosure Form with your three most recent pay stubs and a Motion/Opposition Fee Information Sheet.
- File the motion with the district court that issued the original child support order. Filing options include eFileNV (electronic filing), in-person delivery, or U.S. Mail. Clark County Family Court is located at 601 North Pecos Road, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
- Serve the other parent by mailing copies of all filed documents and complete a Certificate of Mailing to file with the court.
- Wait for the other parent's response. They may file an Opposition within the court's deadline, and you may then file a Reply to Opposition.
- File a Request for Submission to prompt the judge to review the motion and schedule a hearing if needed.
- Attend the hearing if one is scheduled, and obtain the signed court order terminating support.
For orders where individual child amounts are allocated, support terminates automatically by the order's own terms when the specified child reaches the age threshold. For combined-amount orders covering multiple children, a modification motion is required to reduce the total when one child ages out. Parents should not unilaterally reduce payments without a court order, as doing so creates enforceable arrearages.
Nevada Child Support Enforcement After Termination
Nevada enforces unpaid child support arrearages even after the child reaches adulthood under NRS 125B.100 and NRS 125B.140. A child support order becomes a judgment by operation of law on the date each payment is due, meaning arrearages accumulate as enforceable court judgments that do not expire.
Nevada provides the following enforcement mechanisms for unpaid child support:
| Enforcement Tool | Legal Authority | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Income withholding | NRS Chapter 31A | Automatic paycheck deduction; employer must comply |
| Tax refund interception | Federal and state law | IRS and Nevada intercept refunds to satisfy arrearages |
| License suspension | NRS 425.540 | Driver's, professional, and recreational licenses suspended |
| Contempt of court | NRS 22.010 | Fines or jail time for willful nonpayment |
| Property liens | NRS 125B.140 | Support judgments enforced like any civil judgment |
| Credit reporting | Federal law | Arrearages reported to credit bureaus |
| Passport denial | 42 U.S.C. § 652(k) | Passport denied for arrearages exceeding $2,500 |
| Bank account seizure | NRS Chapter 31A | Funds levied directly from bank accounts |
Before enforcing arrearages, the person seeking enforcement must send certified mail notice to the obligor under NRS 125B.140. The notice must specify the court name, date of the original order, total arrearage amount, and inform the obligor of their right to request a hearing within 20 days. The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) also assists with enforcement as Nevada's Title IV-D agency, handling interstate cases under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (NRS Chapter 130).
Nevada Residency Requirements for Family Law Filings
Nevada requires 6 weeks of physical presence to establish residency for divorce and family law filings under NRS 125.020. Either the plaintiff or the defendant must meet this residency requirement. Nevada has one of the shortest residency periods in the United States, compared to 6 months in California and 12 months in states like New York.
Residency must be proven through an Affidavit of Resident Witness, signed by another Nevada resident who can confirm the filing party's physical presence in the state for the required period. Under NRS 10.155, "residence" means physical presence and does not require intent to remain permanently.
For child support modifications (including termination), the motion is filed in the court that issued the original order. If the original order was issued in another state, Nevada courts may exercise jurisdiction under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) if the child currently resides in Nevada or if both parties consent to Nevada jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age does child support end in Nevada?
Child support in Nevada ends at age 18 under NAC 425.160. If the child is still enrolled in high school at 18, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Nevada does not extend support for college attendance. Arrearages must still be paid after the child reaches adulthood under NRS 125B.100.
Can child support continue past 18 in Nevada?
Child support can continue past 18 in two situations in Nevada. First, if the child is still in high school at 18, support extends to graduation or age 19. Second, under NRS 125B.110, support continues indefinitely for a child with a disability that occurred before age 18, until the child is no longer disabled or becomes self-supporting.
Does child support cover college in Nevada?
Nevada does not require parents to pay for college through child support. No provision in NRS Chapter 125B authorizes courts to order post-secondary education contributions. However, parents may voluntarily agree to share college costs in their divorce settlement, and Nevada courts enforce such agreements as binding contracts.
How much does it cost to file a motion to terminate child support in Nevada?
Filing a subsequent motion to modify or terminate child support in Nevada costs approximately $25. The initial divorce filing fee ranges from $284 in Washoe County to $364 in Clark County. Fee waivers are available for parents whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level or whose monthly expenses exceed income. As of March 2026, verify fees with your local clerk.
Can a child be emancipated to end child support in Nevada?
A Nevada minor aged 16 or older can petition for emancipation under NRS 129.080, which terminates the parental support obligation. The filing fee is $255. The minor must prove financial self-sufficiency, legal income, and independent living arrangements. The court holds a mandatory hearing to evaluate whether emancipation serves the minor's best interests.
Do I still owe back child support after my child turns 18 in Nevada?
Yes. Under NRS 125B.100, the obligor must continue paying until all arrearages are fully satisfied, regardless of the child's age. Nevada enforces arrearages through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, contempt of court, property liens, bank account seizure, and passport denial for debts exceeding $2,500.
How often can child support be modified in Nevada?
Child support orders in Nevada may be reviewed every 3 years upon request by either parent under NRS 125B.145. Modification may also be requested at any time if either parent's income changes by 20% or more. Courts may deviate from guidelines based on 9 statutory factors under NRS 125B.080, including the child's special needs and the cost of health insurance.
What happens if my ex stops paying child support in Nevada?
Nevada provides 8 enforcement tools for unpaid child support under NRS 125B.140 and NRS Chapter 31A. These include automatic wage garnishment, tax refund interception, suspension of driver's and professional licenses under NRS 425.540, contempt of court with potential jail time, property liens, credit reporting, bank account seizure, and federal passport denial for arrearages over $2,500.
Does child support automatically stop in Nevada or do I need a court order?
For orders with individually allocated amounts per child, support terminates automatically when the child reaches 18 (or 19 if still in high school). For combined-amount orders covering multiple children, the paying parent must file a motion to modify the total when one child ages out. Parents should never unilaterally reduce payments without a court order, as doing so creates enforceable arrearages.
What is Nevada's residency requirement for filing family law cases?
Nevada requires just 6 weeks of physical presence to establish residency for divorce and family law filings under NRS 125.020. This is one of the shortest residency requirements in the United States. Residency is proven through an Affidavit of Resident Witness signed by another Nevada resident who can confirm physical presence.