When child support ends in Maryland

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

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

18, or until 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school (ends earlier if the child graduates or leaves school, marries or is emancipated)

Usual end age
18
Latest age in the rule
19
Law
Md. Code, General Provisions §1-401

Maryland's rule on the end of support

18, or until 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school (ends earlier if the child graduates or leaves school, marries or is emancipated)

Law: Md. Code, General Provisions §1-401

Maryland law requires a parent who has or can earn enough money to provide food, shelter, care and clothing for a destitute adult child, meaning an adult child with no means of support who can't support themselves because of a mental or physical infirmity.

Law: Md. Code, Fam. Law §§13-101, 13-102

When does support end? Check your situation

Maryland's rule: 18, or until 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school (ends earlier if the child graduates or leaves school, marries or is emancipated)

Law: Md. Code, General Provisions §1-401

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

Moved to 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

  • District of Columbia: 21
  • Delaware: 18, or if the child is still in high school, when the child…
  • New Jersey: 19 - support ends automatically when the child turns 19, marries…
  • Pennsylvania: 18, or graduation from high school if the child is still in high…

What to do now in Maryland

  1. Read your order

    Check what your order says about when support ends.

  2. Know the age

    In Maryland: 18, or until 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school (ends earlier if the child graduates or leaves school, marries or is emancipated)

  3. Update the agency

    The agency can end withholding when support ends: Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Support Administration (CSA) (1-800-332-6347) · Apply online

  4. Settle past-due support

    Arrears can still be collected after support ends.

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Free help: Maryland Legal Aid.

Free help in Maryland

Questions about when support ends in Maryland

At what age does child support stop in Maryland?

18, or until 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school (ends earlier if the child graduates or leaves school, marries or is emancipated)

Does child support continue while my child finishes high school in Maryland?

18, or until 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school (ends earlier if the child graduates or leaves school, marries or is emancipated)

Can child support continue past the usual age in Maryland?

Maryland law requires a parent who has or can earn enough money to provide food, shelter, care and clothing for a destitute adult child, meaning an adult child with no means of support who can't support themselves because of a mental or physical infirmity.

Related Maryland pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources