Many parents in New Braunfels count down to the month child support is supposed to end, whether they are paying or receiving it. In Texas, the answer is not always the 18th birthday. Graduation dates, a child’s disability, and the wording of the order all matter. This page explains when support ends in Texas, when it continues, and what Comal County parents should do to prepare.
When Texas Child Support Normally Ends
Under Texas Family Code § 154.302, support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Most orders also list other events that end support, such as when the child:
- Marries
- Dies
- Has the disabilities of minority removed by a court for general purposes
- Otherwise becomes emancipated under the terms of the order
When the last child covered by an order reaches the end date, current support ends. With more than one child, the order usually steps down to a lower amount as each child “ages out,” following the guideline percentages for the remaining number of children. Check your decree for the exact step-down schedule, because it is usually written into the order.
Support Through High School Graduation
Texas recognizes that many students turn 18 during senior year. Support continues past 18 if the child is enrolled in and complying with attendance requirements of:
- An accredited public or private secondary school
- A program leading to a high school diploma
- Certain courses for joint high school and college credit
- A program leading to a high school equivalency certificate
Support for a student in these programs continues until graduation, as long as the child keeps meeting attendance requirements. A parent who wants support to continue may need to show proof of enrollment. Families in New Braunfels and Comal County with seniors at local high schools should keep enrollment and attendance records handy in case questions arise.
A hypothetical example: imagine a teenager in New Braunfels who turns 18 in October of senior year and graduates the following May. Support would generally continue through that May graduation, not stop in October. If the same student dropped out in January and did not enroll in another qualifying program, the paying parent could argue support should end.
Stopping Withholding When Support Ends
When current support ends and no arrears are owed, wage withholding should stop. In practice, it sometimes continues by mistake. If you are paying through withholding:
- Confirm the end date in your order.
- Check whether any arrears or interest are shown on the payment record.
- Contact the Attorney General’s office if it is involved in your case, or ask your lawyer about filing the needed notice with the court and employer.
Do not simply stop payment on your own if the record shows a balance. Resolve the record first.
What About College?
Texas does not require parents to pay for college. A court cannot order a parent to pay tuition, housing or other college costs over that parent’s objection. That surprises families who move here from states where college support is common.
Parents can, however, agree to college expenses. A divorce decree or settlement might require each parent to contribute to tuition, maintain a 529 plan, or pay a share of costs at Texas State in San Marcos or another school. Because those terms are contractual, details matter:
- Which costs are covered, such as tuition, fees, books, housing, a car or a phone
- Whether the obligation is capped, for example at the cost of a public Texas university
- Required grades, enrollment status or age limits
- How payments are made and to whom
If you are negotiating a divorce with younger children, think about college now. Our page on divorce with children discusses other long-term planning points.
Support for an Adult Child With a Disability
Texas law allows a court to order support to continue indefinitely for an adult child with a disability. The court may do so when:
- The child requires substantial care and personal supervision because of a physical or mental disability
- The child will not be capable of self-support
- The disability exists, or the cause of the disability is known to exist, on or before the child’s 18th birthday
A parent, or the adult child if not incapacitated, can ask the court for this support. A request can be made as part of the original case, in a modification, or in some cases after the child turns 18.
How Adult Disability Support Is Set
The guideline percentages do not automatically apply. The court considers:
- The child’s existing and future needs that are directly related to the disability
- Whether a parent will continue to provide care or supervision
- The financial resources available to both parents
- Other resources available to the child, including government benefits
Coordinating With Benefits
Support for an adult child can affect eligibility for Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. The court can direct that support be paid to a parent, the adult child, or a trust. Families often coordinate these decisions with benefits planning and, sometimes, a special needs trust.
This is also the stage when many families consider decision-making arrangements for the young adult. If your child will need help with medical or financial decisions, see our pages on turning 18 and supported decision-making. In Texas, a guardianship application for a young adult with a disability can be filed during the 180 days before the 18th birthday so it can take effect at 18.
Planning Ahead for Comal County Families
Whether you pay or receive support, a few steps make the transition smoother:
- Note the end date now. Mark the expected graduation and any step-down dates.
- Review arrears. Ask for a payment history well before support ends so disputes can be resolved early.
- Address special needs early. If your child has a disability, raise adult support before 18 if you can.
- Put agreements in writing. If you and the other parent plan to share college costs, a written, court-approved agreement protects everyone.
- Modify if needed. If circumstances have changed, our modification page explains your options.
Talk With a New Braunfels Family Law Attorney
Questions about the end of child support often come with bigger ones about arrears, college plans or a young adult’s long-term care. Our family law team helps parents in New Braunfels, Comal County and nearby communities understand when support ends and plan for what comes next. Call (830) 302-4071 for a free consultation by phone, video or in person. Se habla español.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does child support stop automatically when my child turns 18?
Not always. If the child is still in high school and meeting attendance requirements, support generally continues until graduation. Read your order, since it usually states the exact ending events. If withholding continues after support should have stopped, contact the agency or the court to stop it.
Can a Texas court order a parent to pay for college?
Generally no. Texas courts cannot require a parent to pay for college over that parent’s objection. Parents can, however, agree to college expenses in a divorce decree or settlement, and those agreements can be enforced as contracts.
Can I still collect arrears after my child turns 18?
Yes. Past-due support remains owed after the child is an adult, and Texas allows enforcement for years afterward. Withholding often continues to pay down the balance after current support ends.
My child has autism and will need care as an adult. When should I ask about support?
Ideally before the child turns 18, or as part of your divorce or custody case. Texas law allows support for an adult disabled child when the disability existed or was known to exist before 18, and planning ahead avoids gaps in support. Guardianship and benefit planning often come up at the same time.
Who receives support for an adult disabled child?
The court can order support paid to a parent, to the adult child, or to another person or entity, such as a special needs trust. The right choice often depends on how the payments could affect eligibility for SSI or Medicaid.
Last reviewed November 13, 2026. General information only, not legal advice.