When child support ends in Missouri

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

18. Support continues to 21 at the latest if the child is still in high school and progressing, or enrolls in college or vocational school by October 1 after high school and keeps completing at least 12 credit hours each semester with grades good enough to re-enroll.

Usual end age
18
Latest age in the rule
21
Law
RSMo §452.340

When support stops in Missouri

18. Support continues to 21 at the latest if the child is still in high school and progressing, or enrolls in college or vocational school by October 1 after high school and keeps completing at least 12 credit hours each semester with grades good enough to re-enroll

Law: RSMo §452.340

Support can continue past 18 for a child who is physically or mentally unable to support themselves and is insolvent and unmarried. It ends earlier if the child dies, marries, enters active military duty or becomes self-supporting. A child working 15+ hours a week may take 9 credit hours; a child with a developmental or physical disability may take fewer. The child must send each parent transcripts every semester.

Law: RSMo §452.340.3-.5

When does support end? Check your situation

Missouri's rule: 18. Support continues to 21 at the latest if the child is still in high school and progressing, or enrolls in college or vocational school by October 1 after high school and keeps completing at least 12 credit hours each semester with grades good enough to re-enroll

Law: RSMo §452.340

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

  • Illinois: 18, or up to 19 if the child is still in high school
  • Arkansas: 18 or marriage
  • Iowa: 18, or up to 19 while the child is full-time in high school
  • Kansas: 18

Steps as support ends in Missouri

  1. Read your order

    Some orders set their own end date.

  2. Check the rule

    The rule in Missouri: 18. Support continues to 21 at the latest if the child is still in high school and progressing, or enrolls in college or vocational school by October 1 after high school and keeps completing at least 12 credit hours each semester with grades good enough to re-enroll.

  3. Tell the agency

    The agency can end withholding when support ends: Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD), Child Support Program (866-313-9960) · Apply online

  4. Pay or collect arrears

    Arrears can still be collected after support ends.

Free help in Missouri

Questions about when support ends in Missouri

When does child support end in Missouri?

18. Support continues to 21 at the latest if the child is still in high school and progressing, or enrolls in college or vocational school by October 1 after high school and keeps completing at least 12 credit hours each semester with grades good enough to re-enroll

What if my child is still in high school in Missouri?

Support continues to 21 at the latest if the child is still in high school and progressing, or enrolls in college or vocational school by October 1 after high school and keeps completing at least 12 credit hours each semester with grades good enough to re-enroll

When can support last longer in Missouri?

Support can continue past 18 for a child who is physically or mentally unable to support themselves and is insolvent and unmarried. It ends earlier if the child dies, marries, enters active military duty or becomes self-supporting. A child working 15+ hours a week may take 9 credit hours; a child with a developmental or physical disability may take fewer. The child must send each parent transcripts every semester.

More for Missouri

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources