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Life changes
When Does Child Support End? Emancipation, 18, and College
Most orders end at 18 or high-school graduation; a few states extend to 21 or through college. What counts as emancipation, and what to file when support should stop.
Direct answer
A child’s part-time job generally does not end support. Emancipation is about age, graduation, marriage, or enlistment — not a teenager’s income.
Last updated: 2026-08-19
The default termination is age 18 or high-school graduation, whichever is later — but several states extend support: New York and Mississippi to 21, Massachusetts through college (up to 23 if enrolled), Minnesota to 20 for secondary schooling. Disabled children may be supported indefinitely.
Emancipation events that end support
Turning the statutory age (18/19/21 depending on state)
Graduating high school after 18 (most states)
Marriage or military enlistment before the age limit
Court order of emancipation
Support does not self-terminate in most states — the paying parent must file to terminate, or the order keeps accruing. Put the termination request in writing the month before the event.
See your state’s numbers and duration rules
Estimate for New York
New York uses the Income Shares model.
Enter the paying parent’s gross (pre-tax) monthly income.
New York Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated August 19, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: gross · Statute: N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240(1-b)
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$1,250.00per month
Official schedule: Child Support Standards Act (CSSA), DRL § 240 1-b and Family Court Act § 413. Flat percentage of COMBINED parental income; statutory cap effective March 1, 2024 through Feb. 2026. (2024)
Annual estimate$15,000.00
Effective rate25%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official New York schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
View calculation breakdown
Combined parental income
$9,000
Total basic obligation (schedule)
$2,250
Obligor income share
55.6%
Obligor basic obligation
$1,250
Estimated monthly support
$1,250
How the basic obligation splits between parents
56%
44%
Paying parent: $1,250 Other parent: $1,000
Each parent pays their proportional share of the combined basic obligation.
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
Do I still owe if my child starts working?
A child’s part-time job generally does not end support. Emancipation is about age, graduation, marriage, or enlistment — not a teenager’s income.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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