When child support ends in Ohio

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

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

18. Support continues past 18 while the child keeps attending an accredited high school full time, but a court order usually ends at 19 and an administrative order always ends by 19.

Usual end age
18
Latest age in the rule
19
Law
Ohio Rev. Code 3119.86, 3119.861, 3109.20

When support stops in Ohio

18. Support continues past 18 while the child keeps attending an accredited high school full time, but a court order usually ends at 19 and an administrative order always ends by 19.

Law: Ohio Rev. Code 3119.86, 3119.861, 3109.20

A court can order support past 18 (and past 19) for a child with a mental or physical disability who cannot self-support, or when the parents agreed to it in a divorce or dissolution agreement.

When does support end? Check your situation

Ohio's rule: 18. Support continues past 18 while the child keeps attending an accredited high school full time, but a court order usually ends at 19 and an administrative order always ends by 19.

Law: Ohio Rev. Code 3119.86, 3119.861, 3109.20

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

  • West Virginia: 18, or up to 20 if the child is unmarried, lives with a parent or…
  • Indiana: 19
  • Kentucky: 18, or while still a high school student, but not past the end of…
  • Pennsylvania: 18, or graduation from high school if the child is still in high…

Steps as support ends in Ohio

  1. Read your order

    Your order may name an end date or event.

  2. Know the age

    Ohio's rule: 18. Support continues past 18 while the child keeps attending an accredited high school full time, but a court order usually ends at 19 and an administrative order always ends by 19.

  3. Update the agency

    The agency can end withholding when support ends: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support (1-800-686-1556)

  4. Settle past-due support

    Arrears can still be collected after support ends.

Free legal help in Ohio

Questions about when support ends in Ohio

At what age does child support stop in Ohio?

18. Support continues past 18 while the child keeps attending an accredited high school full time, but a court order usually ends at 19 and an administrative order always ends by 19.

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

Support continues past 18 while the child keeps attending an accredited high school full time, but a court order usually ends at 19 and an administrative order always ends by 19.

Can child support continue past the usual age in Ohio?

A court can order support past 18 (and past 19) for a child with a mental or physical disability who cannot self-support, or when the parents agreed to it in a divorce or dissolution agreement.

Keep reading about Ohio

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources