When child support ends in Connecticut

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

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school.

Usual end age
18
Latest age in the rule
19
Law
Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-84(b)-(c); 46b-215; 46b-56c; Public Act 23-137

When support stops in Connecticut

18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-84(b)-(c); 46b-215; 46b-56c; Public Act 23-137

A court can order support for an adult child with an intellectual, mental or physical disability who lives with and depends on a parent: up to age 26 for orders entered on or after October 1, 2023, or up to 21 for earlier orders. Separately, a court can issue an educational support order for college or vocational school for up to four academic years, ending no later than age 23.

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-84(c), as amended by Public Act 23-137; Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-56c

When does support end? Check your situation

Connecticut's rule: 18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-84(b)-(c); 46b-215; 46b-56c; Public Act 23-137

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

Orders 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)

What is owed stays owed

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

What to do now in Connecticut

  1. Read your order

    Your order may name an end date or event.

  2. Check the rule

    In Connecticut: 18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school.

  3. Update the agency

    Tell the agency about graduation or a change, and ask how withholding stops: Connecticut Department of Social Services, Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) (1-800-228-KIDS (5437)) · Apply online

  4. Pay or collect arrears

    Support that was due remains owed.

  5. Ask for free help

    Ask for free help: Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut (CTLawHelp).

Free legal help in Connecticut

Questions about when support ends in Connecticut

When does child support end in Connecticut?

18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school

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

18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school

Can child support continue past the usual age in Connecticut?

A court can order support for an adult child with an intellectual, mental or physical disability who lives with and depends on a parent: up to age 26 for orders entered on or after October 1, 2023, or up to 21 for earlier orders. Separately, a court can issue an educational support order for college or vocational school for up to four academic years, ending no later than age 23.

Related Connecticut pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources