When Child Support Ends in Maryland
In Maryland, the age of majority is 18, and a child who is 18 and enrolled in secondary school is entitled to support until graduation, leaving school or age 19, whichever comes first.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Maryland at a glance
- Support ends at
- 18
- High school extension
- Yes, to graduation, leaving school or 19, whichever is first
The rules in Maryland
At what age does child support end in Maryland?
Support ends at in Maryland: 18.
Does child support continue in Maryland while a child is still in high school?
High school extension in Maryland: Yes, to graduation, leaving school or 19, whichever is first.
Where do the Maryland child support end age laws come from?
The rules above come from Md. Code, Gen. Prov. 1-401. 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.
More Maryland rules
- Age of Majority and Emancipation in Maryland
- Child Custody Preference Age in Maryland
- Common Law Marriage in Maryland
- Divorce Residency Requirements in Maryland
- Divorce Waiting Period in Maryland
- Prenuptial Agreement Laws in Maryland
- Tenant Abandoned Property Laws in Maryland
- Adverse Possession Laws in Maryland
- Security Deposit Laws in Maryland
- Eviction Notice Requirements in Maryland
- Will Requirements in Maryland
- All Maryland documents and rules