Must I Keep Paying Child Support If My Child Moves Out Of The Other Parent’s House?

In Florida, during a divorce, the court may order one parent to make child support payments to the other parent. Usually, the parent living with the child receives child support payments. After child support is ordered, the obligation can extend for many years. The general rule is that child support payments end on a child’s 18^th birthday. However, there are times when child support payments may continue past a child’s 18th birthday. For example, a parent may be required to keep making child support payments until a child’s 19^th birthday if the child has not graduated from high school by their 18^th birthday. In cases where a child has special needs or is incapacitated, child support may continue indefinitely.

There are also times when child support may end before a child’s 18^th birthday. If your child, who is below the age of 18, moved out of the other parent’s house to live alone or in their friend’s house, you may be wondering if this is one of the situations that warrant child support termination before a child reaches the age of 18. So do you have to keep making child support payments if your child no longer lives with the other parent? Read on to find out.

Can a Child Support Order Be Changed if the Child Moves Out of the Other Parent’s House?

If your child, who is below the age of 18, moved out of the other parent’s house, you may be able to request child support modifications. You might be able to ask for child support termination if your child no longer lives with the other parent. However, to successfully terminate child support, you will need to show that your child is emancipated, has gotten married, or has entered the armed forces. In such cases, the state assumes the child is no longer being supported by their parents.

Emancipation

Generally, a child is emancipated when they reach the age of eighteen. However, a minor child can apply for emancipation. If a minor child applies for emancipation and the court approves their request, the child gains all the rights and responsibilities of an adult, including supporting themselves financially. However, in Florida, a child cannot be deemed emancipated before they reach the age of sixteen. Also, in Florida, unless the child is pregnant and the judge approves the marriage, a minor child under 16 cannot get married.

Requesting Child Support Modification in Florida

There are other circumstances where you may be able to lower or terminate child support even if your child has not reached the age of 18. For instance, if there’s been a significant change in your income or the other parent has seen an increase in income, you can request child support modification. Whatever your reason for requesting child support modification, it is in your best interest to seek help from a qualified child support lawyer. A skilled attorney can, among other things, help you file the necessary paperwork, gather the evidence needed to prove your case, and handle any legal issues that may arise.

Contact an Orlando Child Support Lawyer

If you need help with any child support-related issue, contact our Orlando child support attorneys at the Arwani Law Firm.