When child support ends in Indiana

The age support ends, the high school and disability rules, and what happens with orders from other states.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

19 (the child is emancipated by law at 19)

Usual end age
19
Law
IC 31-16-6-6

The end age in Indiana

19 (the child is emancipated by law at 19)

Law: IC 31-16-6-6

Support continues for an incapacitated child during the incapacity, by court order. A court may end support earlier if the child joins active military duty, is not under a parent's care, or is at least 18, out of school for 4 months and able to self-support. College expenses are handled separately under Guideline 8.

When does support end? Check your situation

Indiana's rule: 19 (the child is emancipated by law at 19)

Law: IC 31-16-6-6

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

  • Illinois: 18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school
  • Kentucky: 18, or while still a high school student, but not past the end of…
  • Ohio: 18
  • Tennessee: 18

Steps as support ends in Indiana

  1. Look at the end date

    Check what your order says about when support ends.

  2. Check the rule

    Indiana's rule: 19 (the child is emancipated by law at 19)

  3. Tell the agency

    Ask the agency how and when payments stop: Indiana Department of Child Services, Child Support Bureau (1-800-840-8757) · Apply online

  4. Pay or collect arrears

    Arrears can still be collected after support ends.

  5. Get help

    Ask for free help: Indiana Legal Help and Indiana Legal Services.

Where to get free help in Indiana

Questions about when support ends in Indiana

How long does child support last in Indiana?

19 (the child is emancipated by law at 19)

Are there exceptions to the end age in Indiana?

Support continues for an incapacitated child during the incapacity, by court order. A court may end support earlier if the child joins active military duty, is not under a parent's care, or is at least 18, out of school for 4 months and able to self-support. College expenses are handled separately under Guideline 8.

Related Indiana pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources