If you are paying child support in Spokane, Washington, you may be wondering when child support will end. This is something that you should be aware of so that you can take the necessary steps to ensure your child is taken care of, especially if they need special accommodations.
At Allen Fischer PLLC; our goal is to provide our Washington clients with exceptional and compassionate legal representation. Keep reading to find out when child support payments end and special situations where you may still need to pay child support.
When Does Child Support End in Washington State?
In Washington state, child support payments are made when the child turns 18, as they are considered a legal adult and no longer dependent. That or the child graduates from high school, which is considered to be the same thing. So, child support will end at 18 or when your child graduates from high school, whichever comes later.
There are common situations where child support payments may go past the age of 18 for your child if they are still in school. This ensures your child receives the support they need until they have graduated and are considered to be self-sufficient.
What is Post-Secondary Child Support?
Now that you know when child support ends, you may be wondering if there are any exceptions. One exception to this child support age limit is post-secondary child support designed for children in college. A parent can request post-secondary support until the child turns 23. However, the parent must request this exception before the child graduates from high school. This is an important requirement, because if post-secondary support is not initiated before it terminates, then the court loses jurisdiction and your Petition will be denied.
For the court to grant post-secondary support, there needs to be proof that the child is a dependent and is reliant on their parents for reasonable necessities of life. Some factors that the court will take into consideration when making this decision include things like:
- The age of the child
- The child’s prospects
- The child’s necessities
- The child’s current and future resources
- The child’s standard of living
- The parent’s level of education
- The child’s abilities or disabilities
Post-secondary support payments will go directly to the school, institution, or the child themselves.
Support For Special Needs Children
Another situation where child support may not end at 18 or when the child graduates high school is if they havespecial needs. This can include children who may be physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves even when they are considered to be legal adults. Special needs continuing support may be required for a limited amount of time or may be something more..
For children with known disabilities, this should be factored in advance so that an agreement can be decided on. This Is especially important for special needs children who are not likely to improve or become self-sufficient since continuing support will be necessary.
Hire Allen Fischer PLLC to Handle Your Child Support Case
Understanding how to stop paying child support can be challenging, which is why you need to hire an attorney with experience in family law. At Allen Fischer PLLC, our attorneys have many years of experience in family law cases and can help you navigate child support. To partner with a team of compassionate and seasoned family law professionals, reach out to Allen Fischer PLLC at 509-466-7770.
