When Does Child Support End in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, child support ends at 18. If the child is still in high school at 18, it can run until the earliest of graduation, stopping regular attendance, lack of satisfactory academic progress, or the child’s 20th birthday. A different timeline can apply to students in a cooperative innovative high school.
Age of majority in North Carolina
North Carolina’s age of majority is 18. When a valid court order requires child support, § 50-13.4(c) sets the end date and lists the exceptions.
Common end dates with quick examples
Ends at 18
Support ends on the child’s 18th birthday if the child is not in primary or secondary school.
Example: Taylor turns 18 in October and is not enrolled in high school. Support ends in October.
High school at 18
If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues until the earliest of:
- Graduation
- Stopping regular attendance
- Failure to make satisfactory academic progress
- 20th birthday
Example: Jordan turns 18 in March of senior year. Graduation is in June. Support ends in June unless Jordan stops attending or falls below satisfactory progress sooner.
Cooperative Innovative High School
For students enrolled in a cooperative innovative high school authorized by state law, support ends at the later of turning 18 or completing the fourth year in that program.
Example: Riley is in an early-college program through year four after turning 18. Support can extend through the fourth year.
Situations that end support sooner
Emancipation
Support ends on the date of emancipation by court order or by marriage. A minor who marries is emancipated.
Adoption or termination of parental rights
A final adoption decree or a TPR order ends future support duties for the prior parent. Arrears already owed remain collectible.
When support may continue after 18
Still in high school at 18
Support can run past 18 under the high-school rule described above. No new order is required to keep collecting during that period, though you may need payroll steps to stop deductions when the trigger event occurs.
College or adult disability
Courts in North Carolina do not order post-majority support for college or for an adult child with a disability unless the parents signed a valid agreement that covers those costs. § 50-13.8 addresses custody for certain adult children, but it is not an ongoing child support statute.
Multiple children in one order
If your order states a single total for two or more children, the amount does not drop on its own when one child ages out. You must seek a child support modification to recalculate support for the remaining minor child or children. Use AOC-CV-600 to request a change.
Out-of-state orders registered in North Carolina (UIFSA)
When a child support order from another state is registered in North Carolina, the issuing state’s law controls the duration of current support and how arrears accrue. North Carolina enforces that duration rather than substituting the NC rule.
How to stop child support payments the right way
Step 1: Confirm the legal end date
Check the trigger under § 50-13.4(c): turning 18, the high-school rule to graduation or age 20, emancipation, or the cooperative innovative high school timeline.
Step 2: Handle wage withholding
Income withholding does not shut off by itself. The court or Child Support Services (CSS) must send your employer a Notice of Change or Termination of Withholding for Child Support (AOC-CV-623).
Step 3: If the order lists multiple children or the amount needs recalculation
File a Motion and Notice of Hearing for Modification of Child Support Order (AOC-CV-600).
Past-due support after the obligation ends
Once a payment comes due, it vests as a judgment by operation of law and cannot be reduced retroactively. Arrears remain collectible after current support ends. North Carolina follows a 10-year limitations period for judgment enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Does support stop on graduation day in May or June?
Yes, if graduation is the first qualifying event for your case. The statute makes termination automatic. Payroll still needs a notice to stop deductions.
My child turned 18 but is repeating 12th grade next year. Do I keep paying?
Yes, up to the earlier of graduation, stopping regular attendance, lack of satisfactory progress, or age 20.
What if my 17-year-old marries?
Marriage emancipates the minor. Support ends as of the emancipation date.
The order came from a state that runs support to 21. Will North Carolina end it at 18?
No. When enforcing a registered out-of-state order, North Carolina follows the issuing state’s duration rule.
Need help with dates, payroll, or a modification?
If your order was entered in Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, or anywhere in the Triad, Culbertson & Associates can confirm your end date, file the notice to stop wage withholding, and handle any recalculation for younger children. Send us your order and the key dates, and we will map your next steps.