How Long Does Child Support Last in Texas? (2026 Rules)

Texas Family Code §154.001 sets the default rule. A parent's duty to pay child support continues until the LATER of:

1. The child reaches age 18, OR
2. The child graduates from high school (if still enrolled and complying with attendance requirements)

Whichever happens last is the termination date. So if your child turns 18 in March of their senior year, support continues until they graduate (typically late May or early June).

What If the Child Has Multiple Siblings?

When child support is calculated for multiple children, the percentage decreases as each child ages out. Texas uses the following net-resource percentages:

• 1 child: 20%
• 2 children: 25%
• 3 children: 30%
• 4 children: 35%
• 5+ children: 40%

When the oldest child reaches the termination event, the support obligation should be recalculated to the lower percentage. This does NOT happen automatically — you must file a Motion to Modify or include step-down language in the original order.

Disabled Adult Children (§154.302)

If a child has a mental or physical disability that requires substantial care and supervision, and the disability existed before the child turned 18, Texas courts can order support to continue indefinitely — for the life of the child if needed.

Emancipation (Support Ends Early)

A child can be legally emancipated, which terminates child support immediately. Texas recognizes emancipation through:

• Marriage (child marries before 18 with parental consent or court approval)
• Active military duty
• Court-ordered emancipation (TX Family Code Chapter 31 — child must be 17 or 16 with parental consent, financially self-sufficient, mentally mature)

College Support: NOT Required in Texas

Unlike some states (e.g., New Jersey, Indiana), Texas does NOT require parents to pay child support for college. Once the child graduates high school or turns 18 (whichever is later), the duty ends.

However, parents can voluntarily agree in writing to extend support for college — and that agreement IS enforceable in Texas courts (TX Family Code §154.124). Always put it in the divorce decree.

Death of the Paying Parent

Child support is a debt of the estate. If the paying parent dies, the estate may owe accrued arrears, and ongoing support may need to be funded through life insurance or estate proceeds. Texas Family Code §154.015 actually requires the court to consider this and may order life insurance as part of the support order.

This is a critical point most people get wrong: Child support does NOT automatically stop when the child turns 18 or graduates. You must take action to officially end the obligation and the wage-withholding order.

Step-by-Step Termination

1. Verify the termination event — Confirm the child has graduated or aged out. Get the diploma/transcript.
2. File a Notice of Termination with the court that issued the order (Ector County District Clerk if your order came from Odessa). Some courts use a "Motion to Terminate Wage Withholding."
3. Serve the other parent with the notice
4. Court enters termination order
5. Order is sent to the employer — stops wage withholding
6. Notify the Texas State Disbursement Unit (SDU) to stop processing payments

What If There Are Unpaid Arrearages?

Termination of ongoing support does NOT erase past-due arrearages. Those remain owed and collectible — through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, liens, and contempt — for years afterward (no statute of limitations on child support collection in Texas).