How to Terminate Child Support Payments in Pennsylvania
A child needs the emotional and financial support of both parents. Non-custodial parents are required to provide financial support to their children through child support payments. Pennsylvania child support is required until the child is emancipated. In most cases, a child is declared a legal adult once they reach the age of 18 and are finished with high school or the equivalent. In rare circumstances, you can terminate child support payments early.
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Make sure your child support payments are current. In Pennsylvania, you will be required to continue paying child support if you owe back support, regardless of your child's age.
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Evaluate the circumstances. Child support in Pennsylvania automatically ends once your child reaches the legal age of 18. In the event that your child dies, marries or is declared an adult by the court before the legal age, you can petition to end support obligations. If your child moves in with you, this could change custody and your child support obligations. Filing a petition to modify or terminate support will initiate the review process. Provide your case number, personal information about you and the custodial parent and your child. Present any proof you have to support the claim. The filing fee may vary, but is around $20 in most Pennsylvania courts as of 2010.
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Understand the Pennsylvania state requirements. You are not obligated to provide support for your child after 18, even if the child is enrolled in college. If the child is still in high school past the age of 18, support must continue until the child graduates. If your child is disabled and cannot be emancipated, you will continue to pay support if the court deems necessary. Signing over parental rights does not terminate child support in Pennsylvania, unless the child is adopted.
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File a Petition to Vacate if your child is reaching legal age or graduating. A motion to vacate child support is a request to ask the court to withdraw the previous court order. Visit a Domestic Relations office located in your local Family Court to obtain the paperwork. File at least eight weeks before your child's 18th birthday or graduation, since the review process takes about 60 days. The review time can be longer, depending on the court. Hiring an attorney is not necessary, although it can simplify the filing process.
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