Answer
Child support in Oregon generally ends when the child turns 18 years old, but Oregon law extends support obligations to age 21 if the child qualifies as a "child attending school" under ORS § 107.108. Oregon is one of a minority of states that allows child support past the age of majority for educational purposes. The filing fee to petition for modification or termination of a child support order in Oregon is $301 as of March 2026.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Default Termination Age | 18 years old |
| Extended Termination Age | 21 years old (child attending school) |
| Filing Fee | $301 (as of March 2026; verify with your local clerk) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months (marriage outside Oregon) or none (marriage in Oregon) |
| Grounds for Divorce | No-fault (irreconcilable differences) |
| Property Division | Equitable distribution |
| Waiting Period | None (Oregon has no mandatory waiting period) |
| Governing Statutes | ORS § 107.108, ORS § 25.275, OAR 137-055-3480 |
| Support Model | Income Shares Model |
| Minimum Monthly Support | $100 per child |
Standard Termination: Child Support Ends at Age 18 in Oregon
Oregon child support ends automatically when the child reaches 18 years of age, provided the child is not enrolled in school and does not meet any exception for continued support under ORS § 107.108. Oregon follows the standard rule among U.S. states where the age of majority is 18, which is also the default termination point for child support obligations. The paying parent (obligor) does not need to file a motion to stop payments if the order specifies termination at age 18 and the child does not qualify for an extension.
Oregon courts will also terminate child support before age 18 if the child becomes emancipated, gets legally married, or joins active-duty military service. Emancipation in Oregon requires a court order under ORS § 419B.558, and the minor must demonstrate the ability to manage their own financial affairs and live independently. Approximately 2% of Oregon minors seek emancipation before age 18, according to Oregon Judicial Department data.
When child support terminates at age 18, any arrearages (past-due amounts) remain enforceable. Oregon law does not forgive unpaid child support simply because the child has aged out. The Oregon Child Support Program can continue enforcement actions, including wage withholding and tax refund intercepts, until the full balance is paid regardless of the child's age.
Extension to Age 21: The "Child Attending School" Exception
Oregon is one of approximately 19 states that extends child support obligations beyond age 18 for children pursuing education, with support potentially continuing until the child turns 21 under ORS § 107.108. This extension applies when a child meets specific enrollment and academic requirements defined by Oregon law. The extension is not automatic and requires the child to take affirmative steps to qualify.
To qualify as a "child attending school" under Oregon law, the child must meet all of the following requirements simultaneously:
- Enrolled in school at least half-time as defined by the educational institution
- Making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school
- Unmarried and not a member of the active-duty armed forces
- Not legally emancipated by court order
- Under 21 years of age
The types of educational programs that qualify under ORS § 107.108 are broader than many parents realize. Qualifying programs include high school completion (including GED programs), community college, four-year university or college, and professional, vocational, or technical training programs designed to increase the child's prospects for gainful employment. Oregon courts have interpreted "school" broadly to encompass trade programs, certificate programs, and apprenticeships that meet the statutory criteria.
Notification Requirements Before the Child Turns 18
The child must notify the Oregon Child Support Program (administered by the Oregon Department of Justice) of their intent to continue attending school before turning 18. This pre-18th-birthday notification is a critical procedural requirement under ORS § 107.108. Missing this deadline can result in termination of support even if the child otherwise qualifies as a student. Oregon processes approximately 3,500 child-attending-school cases annually through the Department of Justice.
After the initial notification, the child must submit compliance documentation within 30 days of the start of each academic term or semester for orders issued on or after October 4, 1997. This documentation typically includes proof of enrollment, verification of at least half-time status, and confirmation of satisfactory academic progress. The school itself may provide these documents directly to the Oregon Child Support Program.
For child support orders issued before October 4, 1997, the requirements differ slightly. Under the older standard, the child must be attending school at least half-time and maintain a "C" grade average or better. The date of the original child support order determines which set of academic requirements applies, not the date the child turns 18.
How Oregon Calculates Child Support Obligations
Oregon calculates child support using the Income Shares Model under ORS § 25.275, which combines both parents' adjusted gross incomes to determine the total support obligation from a standardized schedule. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. Oregon sets a minimum child support obligation of $100 per month per child, even when the calculated formula amount would be lower.
The Income Shares Model reflects the principle that a child should benefit from both parents' incomes to the same extent as if the family remained intact. Oregon considers nearly all income sources including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, interest, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, pension and retirement income, and trust income. The Oregon Department of Justice provides a free online guidelines calculator at justice.oregon.gov/guidelines.
Parents with more than 24% of total overnights (approximately 88 nights per year) receive a parenting time credit that reduces their child support obligation proportionally. This credit recognizes that a parent exercising significant parenting time incurs direct costs for housing, food, and other child-related expenses during their custodial periods. The 24% threshold translates to roughly 1 night out of every 4, or approximately 2 nights per week on average.
How to File for Termination of Child Support in Oregon
Filing to terminate child support in Oregon requires submitting a motion to modify the existing support order through the circuit court that issued the original order, with a filing fee of $301 as of March 2026. The process differs depending on whether the Oregon Child Support Program is involved in the case or the order was established privately through attorneys.
For cases administered by the Oregon Child Support Program, either parent can request a review and modification by contacting the program directly. The program will confirm participants' contact and financial information, then create a proposed modification to the child support order under OAR 137-055-3480. No modification to zero can be entered ex parte, meaning both parties must receive notice and an opportunity to respond.
The step-by-step process for terminating child support in Oregon follows this sequence:
- Determine whether the child meets the age requirement (18 or 21 for students) or qualifies for early termination through emancipation, marriage, or military service
- Contact the Oregon Child Support Program at 1-800-850-0228 if the case is administered through the program, or consult an attorney for private orders
- File a motion to modify or terminate the support order with the circuit court that issued the original order
- Pay the $301 filing fee (fee waiver available for qualifying low-income filers under ORS 21.682)
- Serve the other parent with notice of the motion
- Attend the court hearing if the other parent contests the termination
- Obtain a signed order from the judge officially terminating the support obligation
Enforcement Consequences for Nonpayment in Oregon
Oregon enforces child support obligations through multiple mechanisms administered by the Oregon Department of Justice Child Support Program, with penalties that can include wage garnishment of up to 50% of disposable income, tax refund intercepts, license suspensions, and contempt of court proceedings carrying potential jail time. Oregon collected over $475 million in child support during the 2023 federal fiscal year according to federal Office of Child Support Services data.
Specific enforcement tools available under Oregon law include:
- Income withholding orders directing employers to deduct support from paychecks continuously under ORS § 25.378
- Garnishment of bank accounts and other financial assets under OAR 137-055-4520
- Interception of federal and state tax refunds
- Suspension of driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses
- Reporting delinquent obligors to credit bureaus, affecting credit scores
- Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500 under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 652(k))
- Contempt of court proceedings under ORS § 33.015, which can result in fines or incarceration
Oregon law does not terminate the obligation to pay arrearages when the child turns 18 or 21. Past-due child support remains a legally enforceable debt with no statute of limitations in Oregon. Interest accrues on unpaid child support at the statutory rate of 9% per year under ORS § 82.010, which means a $10,000 arrearage grows by $900 annually.
Modification of Child Support Before Termination
Either parent can petition to modify an Oregon child support order at any time by demonstrating a substantial change in circumstances under ORS § 107.135. A change of 15% or more in the calculated support amount typically qualifies as substantial under Oregon administrative rules. Common qualifying changes include job loss, significant income increase or decrease, changes in parenting time, remarriage affecting household expenses, and changes in the child's needs such as medical conditions or educational costs.
The Oregon Child Support Program reviews cases for possible modification every 36 months (3 years) upon request by either parent, or at any time if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. The review process is free through the program, though court filing fees of $301 apply if the case proceeds to a formal court motion. Approximately 12,000 modification reviews are processed annually by the Oregon Child Support Program.
Modification can also reduce support to zero without formally terminating the order under OAR 137-055-3480. This approach preserves the court's ability to reinstate support if circumstances change, such as when a child who temporarily left school re-enrolls and qualifies as a child attending school under ORS § 107.108. A zero-modification requires notice to both parties and cannot be entered as an ex parte order.
Special Circumstances Affecting Termination
Oregon law recognizes several special circumstances that affect when child support ends beyond the standard age-18 or age-21 rules. Children with physical or mental disabilities that prevent self-support may receive child support indefinitely under ORS § 107.105(1)(c). Oregon courts can order support for an adult disabled child if the disability existed before age 18 and the child remains unable to provide for their own care.
For families with multiple children, Oregon child support does not automatically step down when the oldest child ages out. The paying parent must file a motion to modify the support order to reflect the reduced number of children. Without a modification, the full original support amount remains due. Oregon guidelines recalculate obligations based on the number of qualifying children, and removing one child from a two-child order typically reduces support by 25-35% depending on income levels.
Military deployment does not automatically terminate or suspend Oregon child support obligations. However, service members may petition for modification under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and ORS § 107.135 if deployment results in reduced income. Oregon courts have consistently held that voluntary enlistment does not constitute a change in circumstances, but involuntary deployment or combat assignments may qualify.
Oregon Child Support Compared to Neighboring States
| Factor | Oregon | Washington | California | Idaho |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Default End Age | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Student Extension | 21 (attending school) | No extension | No extension | No extension |
| Support Model | Income Shares | Income Shares | Income Shares (percentage) | Income Shares |
| Minimum Monthly | $100/child | $50/child | Varies by income | $100/child |
| Parenting Time Credit | 24%+ overnights | None specified | Time-share formula | 25%+ overnights |
| Filing Fee (Modification) | $301 | $56 | $60 | $166 |
| Disability Extension | Yes (indefinite) | Yes (indefinite) | Yes (indefinite) | Yes (indefinite) |
Oregon stands out among Pacific Northwest states by extending child support to age 21 for students. Neither Washington, California, nor Idaho provides a comparable education-based extension, making Oregon's ORS § 107.108 provision notably parent- and child-friendly for families prioritizing post-secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does child support end in Oregon if my child is in college?
Child support in Oregon continues until age 21 if the child qualifies as a "child attending school" under ORS § 107.108. The child must be enrolled at least half-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress, remain unmarried, and not be emancipated or on active military duty. The child must notify the Oregon Child Support Program before turning 18.
Does child support automatically stop at 18 in Oregon?
Child support in Oregon stops at age 18 only if the child does not qualify as a child attending school under ORS § 107.108. If the child is enrolled in a qualifying educational program at least half-time and met the notification deadline, support continues until age 21. Parents should verify the order's specific termination language.
What happens to child support arrears after the child turns 18 in Oregon?
Past-due child support in Oregon remains fully enforceable after the child turns 18 with no statute of limitations. Interest accrues at 9% per year under ORS § 82.010, so a $10,000 arrearage adds $900 annually. The Oregon Child Support Program can continue wage garnishment, tax intercepts, and license suspensions until the balance is paid in full.
Can I stop paying child support if my child drops out of college in Oregon?
You must file a motion to modify the child support order if your child leaves school, rather than simply stopping payments. Unilateral cessation of payments can result in contempt of court under ORS § 33.015. However, if the child re-enrolls, support obligations may be reinstated under OAR 137-055-3480 if the child still meets all qualifying criteria.
How much does it cost to file for child support termination in Oregon?
The filing fee to petition for modification or termination of a child support order in Oregon circuit court is $301 as of March 2026. Fee waivers and deferrals are available for low-income filers under ORS § 21.682. Cases administered through the Oregon Child Support Program may be reviewed at no cost, though court filings still incur the standard fee.
Does Oregon child support cover college tuition directly?
Oregon child support payments under ORS § 107.108 continue as standard monthly payments to the custodial parent or the child attending school. The payments are not directed specifically toward tuition, room, or board. Oregon courts cannot order a parent to pay college tuition separately, but the continued support payments help offset educational costs.
What qualifies as a school under Oregon child support law?
Oregon defines qualifying schools broadly under ORS § 107.108 to include high schools, GED programs, community colleges, four-year universities, and professional, vocational, or technical training programs designed to increase employment prospects. The child must be enrolled at least half-time as defined by the institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Can child support in Oregon continue past age 21?
Child support in Oregon can continue past age 21 only for children with physical or mental disabilities that prevent self-support under ORS § 107.105(1)(c). The disability must have existed before age 18, and the court must find the child unable to provide for their own care. For all other children, age 21 is the absolute maximum under Oregon law.
How does parenting time affect child support amounts in Oregon?
Oregon's Income Shares Model under ORS § 25.275 provides a parenting time credit for parents exercising more than 24% of total overnights, which equals approximately 88 nights per year. This credit reduces the obligor's support amount proportionally. A parent with 35% parenting time will pay less than a parent with 15% parenting time, all other factors being equal.
What if the other parent refuses to agree to end child support in Oregon?
If the other parent contests termination, you must attend a hearing before an Oregon circuit court judge who will determine whether the child meets the statutory criteria for continued support under ORS § 107.108. The court examines enrollment status, academic progress, and age. Filing a motion costs $301, and the court's decision is based solely on the statutory requirements, not parental agreement.
Reviewed by Antonio G. Jimenez, Esq. — Florida Bar No. 21022
Last updated: March 2026. Laws change. Verify current statutes at oregonlegislature.gov or consult an Oregon-licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.