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When Child Support Ends in Arkansas

In Arkansas, child support ends automatically at 18 unless the child is still in high school, in which case it ends at graduation or the end of the school year after the child turns 19, whichever is earlier.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Arkansas at a glance

Support ends at
18
Termination is automatic by operation of law unless the order specifically extends support.
High school extension
Yes, to earlier of graduation or school year end after 19
Ends at high school graduation or the end of the school year after the child turns 19, whichever is earlier.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Arkansas

At what age does child support end in Arkansas?

Support ends at in Arkansas: 18. Termination is automatic by operation of law unless the order specifically extends support.

Does child support continue in Arkansas while a child is still in high school?

High school extension in Arkansas: Yes, to earlier of graduation or school year end after 19. Ends at high school graduation or the end of the school year after the child turns 19, whichever is earlier.

Where do the Arkansas child support end age laws come from?

The rules above come from Ark. Code 9-14-237 and Ark. Code 9-12-312. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Support does not always stop on its own. Depending on the state and the order, the paying parent may need to ask the court or the child support agency to end or adjust the order, and past-due support remains owed after the end date.

When there is more than one child on an order, the amount may not drop automatically when the oldest child reaches the end age. Reviewing how the order is written, and whether it lists a separate amount per child, helps show what happens next.

Parents can often agree in a divorce or separation agreement to pay for things the law does not require, such as college costs. A written agreement approved by the court can be enforced like an order, so its wording matters and a local family law attorney can review it.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.