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When Child Support Ends in West Virginia

In West Virginia, child support continues past 18 for an unmarried child living with a parent and enrolled full time in high school or a vocational program, but not past age 20.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

West Virginia at a glance

Support ends at
18
High school extension
Yes, while in high school full time, up to age 20
Court can order college support
No
Under the 1994 reenactment, older college expense orders must be vacated if entered after March 14, 1994.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in West Virginia

At what age does child support end in West Virginia?

Support ends at in West Virginia: 18.

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

High school extension in West Virginia: Yes, while in high school full time, up to age 20.

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

No. Court can order college support in West Virginia: no. Under the 1994 reenactment, older college expense orders must be vacated if entered after March 14, 1994.

Where do the West Virginia child support end age laws come from?

The rules above come from W. Va. Code 48-11-103. 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.