Child support

You know what is ridiculous on my part? I lived in Texas for 6+ years, and I honestly don't know the law about paying child support to a teenager and if there are any loop holes in that law. This is why I say it is ridiculous...in 2002 I went through the Attorney General's office (through welfare) to establish child support. I honestly didn't want the money, I knew he would never pay, I just wanted it to be known that we were separated at the time and a lawyer told me that was the way to go...to apply for child support. So because he didn't show up to the actual hearing I was able to establish the rights that I wanted, but the support was to have stopped when my son turned 18, because he would be considered an adult. Then when I finally got my divorce finalized in 2004, I made a few adjustments to it, but it still remains that the support ends when my son turns 18. With all that said, it is my understanding that no matter what the child is doing, if you are ordered to pay child support, then you have to pay until that child turns 18...or actually whatever it says in the decree or the judge had ordered. No matter what, you have to follow through. Have you tried to contact the Attorney General's office. They know the law just as a lawyer would and there is no charge. I don't think I was of any help because every case is different but to be honest I don't think that payments should stop just because she is not going to school...after all the money should be going towards clothes, food, shelter...things that she needs. I understand that she needs to have an education, but if she continues to fail that is her own fault as well as whatever becomes of her as an adult. I do hope that you do find out what it is you can do. My philosophy has always been that there are loop holes in EVERYTHING, hopefully you run into one.

I don't know the law in Texas, but I can tell you here - in Louisiana - if a child is not enrolled full time in school after a certain age you are not obligated to pay child support. I thought that law was in every state once the child passed the age that they were required to attend school (here I believe it is 16). Also, you can get all the child support you paid back that you paid out when she was not meeting her obligation.

I would think that child support should be paid until the child is 18 regardless of the childs performance in school and regardless of if the child has graduated. Legally, they are not an adult until the turn 18. After they turn 18, then I would guess that legal responsibility is done. I guess moral responsibility is something for the parents to figure out. As far as the child not being enrolled in school under the age of 18, I would guess that there are still financial responsiblities for the parents must meet. The kids still have to eat and they still need clothes to put on their backs right? I hope you're not thinking of this as a hate post. It isn't. As you said I don't know you or your situation. I can empathsize with the problems of being in debt. I have my own issues with that, but I do think if a person plants the seed and has a child, they do have a lifelong responsiblity to the children they bear, regardless of the parent's relationship with eachother. Of course, as the child gets older and older and past the age of 18 and they grow to adulthood, the obligation (as well as the need for involvement) will decrease. Some parent/child relationships stay strong throught a lifetime. Some parent/child relationships barely survive throught to adulthood (some don't even make it that far). Whatever your situation I hope things turn out in a way that is best for all parties concerned. Good luck.

You should be able to get it stopped. I dont know why you should have to pay it once she turns 18. Especially since shes not in school.

From what I understand about child support is that you are obligated to pay until she is 18 no matter what. If she is still in school full time then you have to pay until she graduates. After she is 18 and is not in school you no longer have to pay, unless there is back support due. That still has to be paid no matter what. If she were to go to school full time and graduate and continue on to college full time(does not sound like ti will be happening) then you will have to pay until she is out of college. Since she is 17 and not in school as soon as she turns 18 the support should be able to be stopped.