When child support ends in Arizona

The end age, the exceptions, and what to do as support ends.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

18. If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues to the end of the month of expected graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

Usual end age
18
Latest age in the rule
19
Law
A.R.S. 25-501(A), 25-320(E), 25-503(Q); Arizona Child Support Guidelines Section XV

When support stops in Arizona

18. If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues to the end of the month of expected graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

Law: A.R.S. 25-501(A), 25-320(E), 25-503(Q); Arizona Child Support Guidelines Section XV

The court can order support for an adult child with a disability under A.R.S. 25-320(E). Support also ends if the child marries, is adopted or dies.

When does support end? Check your situation

Arizona's rule: 18. If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues to the end of the month of expected graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

Law: A.R.S. 25-501(A), 25-320(E), 25-503(Q); Arizona Child Support Guidelines Section XV

Your own order may set a different end date, for example when the parents agreed to one. Read it.

If your order is from another state

How long support lasts follows the law of the state that made the order, even if you move.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1738B(h)(2)

A state must enforce another state's child support order. The state that made the order keeps the power to change it while a parent or the child still lives there.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1738B(a), (d)

Past-due support doesn't end

Support that was due before it ended is still owed. Each unpaid payment became a judgment on the day it was due, and the agency can keep collecting it.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

In nearby states

  • New Mexico: 18
  • Utah: 18, or graduation from high school during the child's normal and…
  • Nevada: 18, or if the child is still in high school, when the child…
  • Colorado: 19

Your next steps in Arizona

  1. Check the order

    Check what your order says about when support ends.

  2. Compare with the law

    Arizona's rule: 18. If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues to the end of the month of expected graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

  3. Tell the agency

    The agency can end withholding when support ends: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) · Apply online

  4. Clear what is owed

    Past-due support is still owed after the end date.

  5. Get help

    Legal aid can help for free: AZLawHelp.org (legal aid) and Community Legal Services.

Free legal help in Arizona

Questions about when support ends in Arizona

How long does child support last in Arizona?

18. If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues to the end of the month of expected graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

Is there support during the last year of high school in Arizona?

If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues to the end of the month of expected graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

When can support last longer in Arizona?

The court can order support for an adult child with a disability under A.R.S. 25-320(E). Support also ends if the child marries, is adopted or dies.

Related Arizona pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources