When child support ends in New York

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

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

21.

Usual end age
21
Law
Fam. Ct. Act § 413(1)(a); § 413-b

When support stops in New York

21

Law: Fam. Ct. Act § 413(1)(a); § 413-b

Parents can agree to support beyond 21. A parent can also be ordered to support an adult child with a developmental disability up to age 26 if the child lives with and depends mainly on the parent asking for support. A child who is emancipated earlier (for example, self-supporting, married or in the military) may lose support.

Law: Fam. Ct. Act § 413-b

When does support end? Check your situation

New York's rule: 21

Law: Fam. Ct. Act § 413(1)(a); § 413-b

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)

Arrears are still 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

Your next steps in New York

  1. Look at the end date

    Check what your order says about when support ends.

  2. Know the age

    New York's rule: 21.

  3. Tell the agency

    Tell the agency about graduation or a change, and ask how withholding stops: NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Division of Child Support Services (1-888-208-4485)

  4. Clear what is owed

    Arrears can still be collected after support ends.

  5. Ask for free help

    Legal aid can help for free: LawHelpNY (legal aid directory).

Free help in New York

Questions about when support ends in New York

At what age does child support stop in New York?

21

When can support last longer in New York?

Parents can agree to support beyond 21. A parent can also be ordered to support an adult child with a developmental disability up to age 26 if the child lives with and depends mainly on the parent asking for support. A child who is emancipated earlier (for example, self-supporting, married or in the military) may lose support.

Related New York pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources