Child support in Texas ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.001. If a child turns 18 in May but graduates in June, support continues through graduation. Texas courts do not automatically terminate child support payments when a child reaches the age of majority. The paying parent must file a motion or contact the Texas Office of the Attorney General to formally end the obligation. Failure to act means wage withholding continues indefinitely, even after the child ages out of eligibility.
Key Facts: Texas Child Support Termination
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| General Termination Age | 18 years old or high school graduation, whichever is later |
| Governing Statute | Tex. Fam. Code § 154.001 and § 154.006 |
| Disabled Child Exception | Indefinite support under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.302 |
| Early Termination Events | Marriage, military enlistment, emancipation by court order, death |
| 2026 Monthly Net Resource Cap | $11,700 (effective September 1, 2025) |
| Guideline for 1 Child | 20% of obligor's monthly net resources |
| Filing Fee for Modification | $250 to $400, varies by county |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Texas, 90 days in filing county (§ 6.301) |
| Waiting Period | 60 days from filing date |
| OAG Review | Free review available through Texas Office of the Attorney General |
When Does Child Support End in Texas Under Standard Rules?
Under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.001, child support in Texas ends when the child reaches age 18 or graduates from an accredited secondary school, whichever date comes later. The statute caps the extended obligation at the end of the month in which graduation occurs. For a child who turns 18 in March 2026 but graduates high school in May 2026, the paying parent owes support through May 2026. Texas courts apply this rule automatically in all child support orders entered after September 1, 2001.
The high school graduation extension reflects the Texas Legislature's policy that children deserve financial support through the completion of basic education. Approximately 92% of Texas students graduate from high school according to the Texas Education Agency's 2024-2025 reporting, meaning most child support orders in Texas extend beyond the child's 18th birthday by at least a few months. Parents should note that this extension applies only to high school, not college. Texas law does not require parents to pay child support while a child attends college or vocational school.
If the child drops out of high school before turning 18, support continues until the 18th birthday. If the child drops out after turning 18, support terminates immediately because neither condition (under 18 or enrolled in high school) is met. The Tex. Fam. Code § 154.006 codifies these termination triggers and requires that the obligor take affirmative steps to end wage withholding.
Early Termination: Events That End Child Support Before Age 18
Texas child support terminates before the child turns 18 if the child marries, enlists in the United States armed forces and begins active duty, is emancipated by court order, or dies, as specified under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.006. Each of these events removes the legal basis for continued support because the child is no longer considered a dependent minor under Texas law.
Marriage is the most common early termination event. Under Texas law, a minor aged 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent, and marriage legally emancipates the child. Once married, the child is considered a legal adult for all purposes, and the obligor's duty of support ends on the date of the marriage. The paying parent must still file a motion to terminate the wage withholding order with the court.
Military enlistment terminates support on the date the child begins active service, not the date of enlistment. A child who signs enlistment papers at 17 but ships to basic training at 18 would have support end at the start of active duty. Emancipation by court order under Tex. Fam. Code § 31.001 requires the minor to be at least 17, a Texas resident, self-supporting, and capable of managing their own affairs. Texas courts granted approximately 150 to 200 emancipation petitions per year between 2022 and 2025.
Indefinite Child Support for a Disabled Child in Texas
Texas courts may order child support to continue indefinitely when a child has a mental or physical disability that prevents self-support, under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.302. The disability must exist on or before the child's 18th birthday, and the child must require substantial care and personal supervision. There is no age limit on this obligation. A parent may be ordered to pay support for a disabled adult child for the remainder of that child's life or until the disability no longer prevents self-support.
The standard guideline percentages (20% of net resources for one child) apply as a starting point for disabled adult child support, but courts have broad discretion to deviate. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.306, the court must consider the existing and future needs of the adult child related to the disability, whether the parent provides direct care or supervision, the financial resources available to both parents, and any government benefits (such as Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid) the child receives. In 2026, the monthly net resource cap for calculating guideline support is $11,700, meaning the maximum guideline support for one disabled adult child is $2,340 per month (20% of $11,700).
Parents seeking indefinite support must file a separate petition or include the request in the original divorce decree. Courts require medical evidence documenting the disability, its onset date, and a professional opinion regarding the child's capacity for self-support. Common qualifying conditions include intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injuries sustained before age 18.
How to Formally Terminate Child Support in Texas
Child support in Texas does not stop automatically when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school. The obligor must file a Motion to Terminate Withholding with the court that issued the original order or contact the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) at 800-252-8014 to request case closure. Without this step, employers continue withholding wages and forwarding payments to the State Disbursement Unit.
To terminate through the court, the obligor files a motion in the original court, pays a filing fee of $250 to $400 (as of March 2026; verify with your local District Clerk), and provides evidence that a termination event occurred. Evidence typically includes the child's birth certificate showing age 18 or older, a high school diploma or transcript confirming graduation, or documentation of marriage, military service, or emancipation. The court reviews the motion and, if satisfied, issues an order terminating the child support obligation and directing the employer to stop wage withholding.
The OAG offers a free administrative review process. Parents with active OAG cases can submit a Request for Review online at texasattorneygeneral.gov or by calling the OAG's automated hotline. The OAG review takes approximately 90 to 180 days depending on caseload. During the review period, existing support orders remain in effect and payments must continue until the court or OAG formally closes the case.
What Happens to Child Support Arrears After the Child Ages Out?
Past-due child support (arrears) does not disappear when the child turns 18 or when the support obligation terminates. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 157.005, Texas courts retain jurisdiction to enforce child support arrears for 10 years after the child turns 18 or after the date the support obligation terminates. A parent who owes $15,000 in back child support when the child turns 18 in 2026 remains legally obligated to pay that amount through at least 2036.
Texas enforces arrears aggressively. The OAG can intercept federal and state tax refunds, suspend driver's licenses and professional licenses, place liens on real property, report the debt to credit bureaus, and pursue contempt of court proceedings that carry penalties of up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine per violation. Interest accrues on unpaid arrears at 6% per year under Tex. Fam. Code § 157.265. On a $20,000 arrearage, that equals $1,200 per year in interest alone.
The 10-year enforcement window is a statute of limitations, not an automatic discharge. If the custodial parent or OAG takes no enforcement action within 10 years of the last missed payment, the arrearage may become unenforceable. However, any enforcement action within that period resets the clock. Texas courts do not forgive or reduce arrears based solely on the child reaching adulthood.
Modifying Child Support Before It Ends
Either parent may petition to modify child support if circumstances have materially and substantially changed since the last order, or if the order has been in effect for 3 or more years and the guideline amount differs by 20% or $100 from the current order, under Tex. Fam. Code § 156.401. Common modification triggers include job loss, a significant raise, remarriage, additional children, or changes in the child's needs.
The filing fee for a modification petition ranges from $250 to $400 depending on the county (as of March 2026; verify with your local District Clerk). Harris County charges $350 for family law filings, while Tarrant County's fees were revised in January 2026. Parents who cannot afford filing fees may submit a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145, which waives fees for qualified low-income filers.
The 2026 child support guidelines apply a percentage of the obligor's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two children, 30% for three children, 35% for four children, and 40% for five children under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125. The monthly net resource cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700 effective September 1, 2025, meaning the maximum guideline support for one child is now $2,340 per month. Courts may order above-guideline support if the obligor's income exceeds the cap, based on the proven needs of the child.
Texas Child Support Compared to Neighboring States
Texas uses a percentage-of-income model for calculating child support, which differs significantly from the income-shares model used by most neighboring states. Understanding these differences matters when parents live in different states or consider relocating.
| Factor | Texas | Louisiana | Oklahoma | New Mexico | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Percentage of obligor income | Income shares | Income shares | Income shares | Income shares |
| 1-Child Guideline | 20% of net resources | Both parents' income | Both parents' income | Both parents' income | Both parents' income |
| Termination Age | 18 or HS graduation | 18 or 19 if in HS | 18 or HS graduation (20 max) | 18 or HS graduation (19 max) | 18 or HS graduation |
| Net Resource Cap (2026) | $11,700/month | No statutory cap | $15,000/month | No statutory cap | $29,166/month |
| College Support Required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Disabled Child Extension | Indefinite (§ 154.302) | Indefinite | Indefinite | Indefinite | Indefinite |
Texas is one of only 6 states using the percentage-of-income model rather than the income-shares model. The percentage-of-income approach considers only the obligor's income, while the income-shares model factors in both parents' earnings. This distinction can result in significantly different support amounts depending on the income disparity between the parents.
The Role of the Texas Office of the Attorney General
The Texas Office of the Attorney General Child Support Division manages approximately 1.2 million child support cases statewide, making it one of the largest child support enforcement agencies in the United States. The OAG provides free services including establishing paternity, obtaining court orders, enforcing existing orders, collecting and distributing payments, and reviewing orders for modification. Parents can access OAG services by calling 800-252-8014 or visiting texasattorneygeneral.gov.
The OAG collects child support through income withholding orders sent directly to the obligor's employer. In fiscal year 2024, the Texas OAG collected over $4.3 billion in child support payments, ranking second nationally behind California. Payments flow through the Texas State Disbursement Unit (SDU), which processes and distributes funds to custodial parents within 2 business days of receipt. The SDU handles both direct deposit and debit card disbursements.
Parents with OAG cases can track payments, view case details, and submit modification requests through the Child Support Interactive portal at texasattorneygeneral.gov. The portal provides real-time payment history, upcoming payment dates, and case status updates. Parents without an active OAG case must hire a private attorney or file pro se to modify or terminate child support through the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does child support automatically stop at 18 in Texas?
No. Child support in Texas does not automatically stop at age 18. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.001, support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later. The obligor must file a motion to terminate or contact the Texas OAG at 800-252-8014 to formally end wage withholding.
When does child support end in Texas if my child does not graduate high school?
If the child does not graduate from high school, child support ends on the child's 18th birthday under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.006. The high school extension only applies to children actively enrolled in and attending an accredited secondary school program. A child who drops out before 18 still receives support until turning 18.
Can child support continue past 18 in Texas for a disabled child?
Yes. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.302, Texas courts may order indefinite child support for a child with a mental or physical disability that prevents self-support. The disability must exist on or before the child's 18th birthday. The maximum guideline amount in 2026 is $2,340 per month for one child (20% of the $11,700 net resource cap).
Does Texas require parents to pay child support through college?
No. Texas does not require parents to pay child support while a child attends college or any post-secondary education. Child support terminates at 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later. Texas is among the majority of states that do not mandate college support. Parents may voluntarily agree to college support in a divorce decree, but courts cannot order it.
How much does it cost to file a motion to terminate child support in Texas?
Filing a motion to terminate child support in Texas costs between $250 and $400 depending on the county, as of March 2026. Harris County (Houston) charges $350 for family law filings. Low-income parents may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs to request a fee waiver. The Texas OAG offers free administrative case closure for parents with active OAG cases.
What happens to back child support when my child turns 18 in Texas?
Child support arrears survive the child's 18th birthday. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 157.005, Texas courts enforce arrears for 10 years after the obligation ends. Interest accrues at 6% annually under § 157.265. The OAG can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, place property liens, and pursue contempt charges carrying up to 6 months in jail per violation.
Can I stop paying child support if my child moves in with me in Texas?
No, you cannot unilaterally stop paying. Even if the child lives with you full-time, the existing court order remains enforceable until modified. You must file a Motion to Modify with the court and prove a material and substantial change in circumstances under Tex. Fam. Code § 156.401. Filing fees range from $250 to $400 by county.
What is the maximum child support payment in Texas for 2026?
The maximum guideline child support in Texas for 2026 is $2,340 per month for one child. This is calculated as 20% of the $11,700 monthly net resource cap under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125. The cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700 effective September 1, 2025. For two children, the maximum is $2,925 (25%); for three children, $3,510 (30%).
Does child support end if the child gets married before 18 in Texas?
Yes. Marriage legally emancipates the child and terminates the support obligation under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.006. Texas allows minors aged 16-17 to marry with parental consent. The obligor must still file a motion to terminate the wage withholding order with the court, as payments do not stop automatically upon the child's marriage.
How long does a child support modification take in Texas?
A child support modification in Texas takes approximately 3 to 6 months through the courts or 90 to 180 days through the Texas OAG's free administrative review process. Court modifications may proceed faster in uncontested cases. The modification takes effect from the date the petition is filed, not the date the new order is signed, protecting the requesting parent from delays.