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When Child Support Ends in Indiana

In Indiana, the duty of child support ends at 19, can continue until graduation for a full-time secondary school student when a parent files notice, and a court can order support for college and other postsecondary education.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Indiana at a glance

Support ends at
19
Support ends earlier if the child is emancipated, and can continue for an incapacitated child.
High school extension
Yes, to graduation if notice is filed
A parent or guardian must file notice with the court that the child is or will remain enrolled full time in secondary school.
Court can order college support
Yes
For orders issued after June 30, 2012, a petition for educational needs must be filed before the child turns 19.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Indiana

At what age does child support end in Indiana?

Support ends at in Indiana: 19. Support ends earlier if the child is emancipated, and can continue for an incapacitated child.

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

High school extension in Indiana: Yes, to graduation if notice is filed. A parent or guardian must file notice with the court that the child is or will remain enrolled full time in secondary school.

Can a court in Indiana order a parent to pay support for college?

Yes. Court can order college support in Indiana: yes. For orders issued after June 30, 2012, a petition for educational needs must be filed before the child turns 19.

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

The rules above come from Ind. Code 31-16-6-6 and Ind. Code 31-16-6-2. 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.