When child support ends in North Carolina

When payments stop, when they can continue, and why past-due support is still owed.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

18; if the child is still in primary or secondary school at 18, support continues until graduation, the child stops attending regularly or fails to make satisfactory progress, or the child turns 20, whichever comes first.

Usual end age
18
Latest age in the rule
20
Law
N.C.G.S. 50-13.4(c)

North Carolina's rule on the end of support

18; if the child is still in primary or secondary school at 18, support continues until graduation, the child stops attending regularly or fails to make satisfactory progress, or the child turns 20, whichever comes first

Law: N.C.G.S. 50-13.4(c)

Support ends earlier if the child is emancipated (for example by marriage, military service or court order). A child in a cooperative innovative high school program can be supported until the later of age 18 or completing the fourth year. Parents can agree in a separation agreement or consent order to pay longer, for example through college or for a disabled child. If arrears are owed when support ends, payments continue in the same amount until the arrears are paid.

When does support end? Check your situation

North Carolina's rule: 18; if the child is still in primary or secondary school at 18, support continues until graduation, the child stops attending regularly or fails to make satisfactory progress, or the child turns 20, whichever comes first

Law: N.C.G.S. 50-13.4(c)

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

What to do now in North Carolina

  1. Read your order

    Some orders set their own end date.

  2. Know the age

    North Carolina's rule: 18; if the child is still in primary or secondary school at 18, support continues until graduation, the child stops attending regularly or fails to make satisfactory progress, or the child turns 20, whichever comes first.

  3. Tell the agency

    The agency can end withholding when support ends: NC DHHS Child Support Services (CSS), Division of Social Services (1-800-992-9457) · Apply online

  4. Clear what is owed

    Support that was due remains owed.

  5. Ask for free help

    Free help: Legal Aid of North Carolina.

Where to get free help in North Carolina

Questions about when support ends in North Carolina

How long does child support last in North Carolina?

18; if the child is still in primary or secondary school at 18, support continues until graduation, the child stops attending regularly or fails to make satisfactory progress, or the child turns 20, whichever comes first

What if my child is still in high school in North Carolina?

18; if the child is still in primary or secondary school at 18, support continues until graduation, the child stops attending regularly or fails to make satisfactory progress, or the child turns 20, whichever comes first

When can support last longer in North Carolina?

Support ends earlier if the child is emancipated (for example by marriage, military service or court order). A child in a cooperative innovative high school program can be supported until the later of age 18 or completing the fourth year. Parents can agree in a separation agreement or consent order to pay longer, for example through college or for a disabled child. If arrears are owed when support ends, payments continue in the same amount until the arrears are paid.

Related North Carolina pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources