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When Child Support Ends in Tennessee

In Tennessee, support continues past 18 for a child enrolled in high school until the child or the child's class graduates, whichever is first, but not past age 19 unless the child is disabled.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Tennessee at a glance

Support ends at
18
High school extension
Yes, to graduation, but not past age 19
Court can order college support
No
Support cannot continue after 19 unless the child is handicapped or disabled.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Tennessee

At what age does child support end in Tennessee?

Support ends at in Tennessee: 18.

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

High school extension in Tennessee: Yes, to graduation, but not past age 19.

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

No. Court can order college support in Tennessee: no. Support cannot continue after 19 unless the child is handicapped or disabled.

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

The rules above come from Tenn. Code 34-1-102(b). 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.