Child Support for Children Who Are Over 18 and Still in School

Many Michigan parents wonder whether child support automatically ends when a child turns 18. The answer is a bit more nuanced than simply “yes” or “no.” While support usually ends at 18, Michigan law allows for several exceptions,  especially when a child is still in high school.

The Baseline Rule

In Michigan, child support typically ends when a child reaches the age of 18. Support obligations stop at the end of the month in which the child turns 18 unless one of the narrow exceptions applies. This helps keep things predictable for both parents and the Friend of the Court (FOC) offices that handle enforcement and reviews. 

An Exception to the Rule

Michigan law allows child support to continue past an 18th birthday in specific situations, but only up to a hard cap of 19 years and 6 months (19 1/2 years). To qualify, three things generally must be true while the child is over 18:

1. The child is regularly attending high school full-time.
   
2. There is a reasonable expectation that the child will graduate from high school.
   
3. The child lives full-time with the parent who receives support or at an institution.
   

If all of these considerations are met, a judge can order support to continue until the child reaches 19 and a half years old. That means a senior who turns 18 before graduation can often have support continued until they finish high school, but courts apply the rule carefully, and the extension is not automatic. 

The Courts Consider the Reasonable Expectation Test

Courts consider a student’s school status before allowing child support to continue beyond the age of 18. This is where the reasonable expectation test comes in. “Reasonable expectation to graduate” and “regularly attending”  might sound vague. The courts want evidence. A high school enrollment letter confirming full-time status, along with a counselor’s note indicating an anticipated graduation date, can provide valuable documentation. Courts consider whether the student is on track to earn the required credits. Friend of the Court offices typically request written documentation to support a request to extend support. 

College and Trade School

Many parents assume that child support continues while a child is in college. Michigan does not automatically require parents to pay for college or continue regular child support through the college years. College expenses are typically a separate negotiation. Parents can agree in writing to college contributions, include college terms in a divorce judgment, or the court can order additional educational expenses in rare circumstances. There is no statutory right to ongoing child support for a child simply because they’re enrolled in college after the age of 18. If you want college costs to be addressed, it’s best to do so explicitly in any settlement or court order. 

Special Situations

Cases involving children with disabilities or special needs are more complicated. Michigan allows the court some flexibility to adjust support when a child has special needs, for example, in cases of extraordinary medical or educational costs. The Child Support Formula Manual lists special needs as a factor that can justify deviating from the standard calculation. Michigan courts have historically treated post-majority support for adult children with disabilities conservatively, and outcomes can vary case by case. If a child has a disability that prevents them from being self-supporting, it’s essential to provide strong medical and vocational evidence. Working with an attorney can be crucial in these situations. 

How to Continue Support

If you’re the custodial parent and you want support to continue past your child’s 18th birthday because they meet the high school exception, obtain the necessary documentation early. Submit a written request to the Friend of the Court with a school letter showing full-time status and expected graduation date. 

If you’re the paying parent and want to terminate support, you can file a motion to modify or end the order. However, the court will review the same evidence, and if the statutory conditions are met, the court may still deny the motion. 

Modifying or Terminating Support

A parent or the Friend of the Court can ask the court to change the amount or terminate support. Courts will usually hear modification requests, but there are timing rules about how often you can seek changes unless there’s a significant change in circumstances.

The FOC typically reviews orders every 36 months or upon request by a party. Keeping the FOC updated about schooling status is important to avoid overpayments or improper enforcement.

What Happens if Payments Stop

If a paying parent stops support because they assume it ended at 18, but the child still meets the high-school exception, that parent can face enforcement actions and may be billed for arrears. If a paying parent proves the statutory extension does not apply, for example, the child is not a full-time student, the obligation can be terminated as of the appropriate date. Clear documentation,  school records, custody records, and the actual written court order are what the court relies on.

Need Help With Child Support for a Child Over 18?

If your child has turned 18 but is still in high school, you may wonder whether child support will continue or how to stop it if your child no longer qualifies. Michigan’s rules can be confusing, and even a minor detail can lead to overpayments, lost benefits, or enforcement issues. Bailey & Terranova, P.C. can help. We will review your situation, explain your options, and help you take the appropriate steps, whether that’s continuing support, modifying the order, or filing to have support terminated. Our team will help you navigate Friend of the Court procedures and file motions to protect your rights. Call us today at 517-236-7187 to request a consultation. Let’s ensure your child support order accurately reflects your family’s reality.