Many parents assume child support ends automatically when a child turns 18, but that is not always the case in Illinois. To clear up the confusion, we sat down with an experienced Illinois family law attorney Melissa Rankine to answer common questions. 

Q: Does child support automatically stop at age 18 in Illinois? 
 

Melissa: No. Specifically if you have a withdrawal order, where support is coming directly out of your pay check, the state disbursement unit will continue to initiate the withdrawals until there is a court order terminating support. 

Q: So how do I stop payments? 
 

Melissa: The best way to ensure your child support obligation ends is by getting an order of the court that states child support has terminated. Make sure that the order also indicates that the withholding order is also terminated. 

Q. Does support stop if I still owe money? 

Melissa: No. Any arrears will still need to be paid.  

Q: Can child support continue after age 18 for college expenses? 
 

Melissa: In most scenarios, Child support payments do not continue past the age of emancipation, but under Illinois law, a court can order either parent to contribute to college and post-secondary educational expenses. These costs are addressed separately from the child support order, and parties often address them by agreement or a separate court order.  

Q: Are there situations where support continues beyond 18 for other reasons? 
 

Melissa: Yes, if a child is deemed to be a disabled adult.  

Q: What happens if I have multiple children on one child support order? 
 

Melissa: The court will carve out the termination for the child that is reaching the age of emancipation. The remaining children will still be subject to a child support order, however, the support number will need to be recalculated based on the number of remaining children, income of the parties, and number of overnights.  

Q: What if I keep paying after I was supposed to stop? 
 

Melissa: You are potentially entitled to a refund of support paid after the date of emancipation.  

Q: Can parents agree between themselves to stop child support? 
 

Melissa: Yes but if there is a withholding order, you still need an order of the court.  

Q: What if my child turns 18 but is still in high school? 
 

Melissa: Under Illinois law (750 ILCS 5/505), if an 18-year-old is still attending high school full-time, child support continues until they graduate or turn 19, whichever comes first. 

Talk to an Illinois Child Support Attorney 

Every child support case is different, and small details in your court order can make a big difference in when your obligation ends. If you are unsure whether your child support should continue or stop, speaking with a knowledgeable Illinois family law attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes and protect your rights. For legal assistance and guidance, contact us at Katherine L. Maloney & Associates, LLC at 815-556-2057.