I pay child support on my own without a court order. If no order since birth will I have to pay when he is 18?

pimpjuice

you can stop now legally if theres no court order i don't see why 18 is different

rickinnocal

You can stop right now if no order has been entered. If you do so, though, expect the mother to go to court and GET an order, which would include back support.

What age child support ends depends on your State. MOST States cut off at 18, or graduation from high school, whichever is later.

Some go longer. New York is the longest - a parent there is liable until 21.

Another VERY important thing to remember is that court-ordered child support is tax-deductible. Voluntary child support is not. If you go to court and ask them to order you to pay the same amount that you're paying now, your net payments effectively go down by over 20% because it starts coming out of PRE-TAX income.

Richard

gregory

Yes and No. Most states terminate child support at age 18. However most states do make allowances for support past age18 if a child goes on to college as log as they maintain passing grades and attend school on a full time schedule. In these cases it can continue up to age 21. Each state is different you can usually get the norm. for your state by checking with the child support clerk for your county.

michr

you pay until 18 regardless of in school or not after 18 you are no longer obligated (some states the age is 21) but may assist your child in anyway you can. it is great that you are paying support without an order, be sure you keep a record and proof of your payments. all may be well now but it could change and with no proof you could have to pay it all again if a court order ever is gotten. stay in your child's life and support her/him in all ways emotional and financial.

Lorraine H

Yes, you are responsible until the child is 18 OR until he graduates from high school.

EVMMommy

yes you can depending on what state you live in..some require you to pay up unti age 21 if they still attend school..also a good thing to do,is make sure you have reciepts or set up a written agreement between you and the mother,because if she took you to court and you had no proof that you are financially supporting your child,the judge will slam you with back child support orders!! best thing to do is go to a lawyer or judge and tell them you and the mothers mutual agreement,get an order for it signed by the judge,just to be on the "safe" side

panteragirl78

I'm no expert but I had a boyfriend who did the same thing with his son. He paid directly through the mother...just sent her a money order (of all things) every month. All of the sudden, she decided that she needed him to go to court to pay through the state.

Since he couldn't prove that he's been paying her directly (because he used money orders - he wasn't the brightest bulb) he was ordered to pay all of the back child support even though the mother TOLD the courts that he was paying. The state didn't care. If they couldn't prove it, it didn't matter to them.

He had a new amount that came right out of his paycheck with an added amount taken out for a few years to make up for the back ordered support. So he basically paid twice for 9 years of this child's life.

As far as stopping payment...sure, you should stop paying when he/she turns 18. But if the other parent wants to get dirty, I believe they can go to the courts and say that they've never received a cent from you.

My advice would be to keep track of all payments made!

Elena M.

I don't think you have to pay after 18, but you should consult a family law attorney for best advice on your situation.

Yes, just make sure you document the child support you pay in case the other parent ever decides to get a court order.

richardsphyllis

legally yes however if you child is in school you as a parent is obligated to support you child education until he or she graduates.

T C

Depends on the state you live in, but, usually yes. I am curious. If your child is worth what you are paying toward his keep, now. Why would you decide he isn't worth it at 18?

bakfanlin

Legally, no, but as a father, its up to you to continue the leadership, and paternal responsibility due to your child.
That may be in the form of continued education or just being a good parent.
Of course, I'm assuming your the father.....

Brick CEO

As a man let me say first, take care of your child! Any woman worth being with in the future would demand that. That said yes it legally ends at 18, however I would provide for my child until well after my "Dirt nap" just because it's the right thing to do (As long as you are sure it's yours)

FYI: once you establish support, in many, states even if it's not yours, the court will require you to continue that commitment.

kayluv565

It is great that you pay support on your own. We can never
predict the future, please save every every receipt, keep
all receipt in order by date, each day,week,and month,
year to year. If you buy a piece of candy, save the receipt,
save all doctors and dentist receipts, get it now, i mean every
thing. If she gets mad at you, 2years from now and deside
to take you to court, you will be prepaired, or else, the court
will make you pay all over again from the time of the baby birth. It's called, "retro-pay". Child support is over at age 21,
not 18, you still have to pay while the child goes to college,
that is by the courts. I have child, I know, my child did not want
to go to college, i had to go to court when my son was 18, the
court did not want to stop child support. I had to prove my son
had a good job, and was able to take care of himself.

Maria

That depens on the laws in your state. Some areas require child support or college support until age 21. I suggest you look up your local law.

Nancy C

You may have to pay longer if your child is still in high school or decides to attend college.

I would check with an attorney as each state has different rules governing child support obligations. If you live in a different state from your child, you may have to determine which state has jurisdiction.

Having a court order may actually provide some protection to you in the long run as well. I would definately seek free legal counsel.

colder_in_minnesota

I hope you're keeping proof of your payments. I had a friend who faithfully paid "babymommy" for years, but he paid her with cash, so there was no proof. She went on welfare, and the state went after him for back support, which he'd been making all along. They got a huge judgment against him, and he never did recover financially. As for 18 being the cut-off, that's generally true, however, if there is an agreement, it can continue until the child is out of college, or if the child is disabled, (e.g., Downs Syndrome) it can go on forever.

mommy2alex0827

Yes unless they go to college...Make you have a receipt from the mother on all of the payments you have made if not she can go to court and say you never paid her anything!! That will really screw you!

maplewoodjoe

yes, hence the description "child support". Once he is 18, he is no longer a child. However, he will always be your son

King Of Wrestling Smarts

I think you'd be fine, I just keep documents of every penny I have given the child.

How much,
when
Way
How
where

bro461_s

What a lucky child, to have someone care for him/her at chosen will. You will be able to end the payments legally at 18 unless you live in a state where it is extended to 19 if the child attends college right out of high school. If the case goes to court. Child support will most likely be assigned to you should you find yourself in family court because you chose to accept the responsibility at the onset. The premise being that the child did nothing to earn or lose the support and once begun it is only reasonable to continue.

Jill N

you can stop any time since you are paying voluntarily. however, if you stop, the custodial parent can take you to court and reestablish payments. usually child support ends at 18 unless otherwise legally established (like through college years)

Benita

yep

swflsteelerfan

In most states your support stops when turn 18 or stops education. If continue to college after 18, you must continue to pay till graduation. Then it stop, if decide to further such as masters degree, your payment is auto stopped.

jenl1625

If you're paying it without a court order, what evidence do you have that you're paying it?

What if she waits a few years, then claims that you've never paid her child support? Or the child might actually be able to make a claim when he/she turns 18.

lemon_droppp09

even with a court order, payment stops at eighteen!!

cliff

do it out of love not out of how the law is,if you want your child to grow knowing that you are the great dad keep on supporting him even after 18 years.you are such a good person,dont let the law teach you how to do what is right,keep it up and let nothing stop you or change your mind.

Cinner

I would think you should be done paying when the child turns 18. I hope you have kept documentation of all the payments made. I'd like to tell you, I'm impressed. I've never known anyone who actually paid child support without a court order. I hope you have also been there for the child in other ways. God bless you!

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