Q: Is it true that Colorado law requires a parent to pay child support until the age of 19?
Does the court agreement, as it pertains to visitation go until the child is 19 as well?
A:
Unless the child is "emancipated" per CO's support statute, support usually continues until 19 (note: "emancipation" does not necessarily mean reaching majority at 18). The support can potentially apply beyond 18/19 for college expenses if it is expressly mentioned in the custody agreement. Visitation usually terminates on majority (18), but can theoretically be extended if the child(ren) are disabled. Finally, support continues until the court discharges the support. If the ground for discharge is aged-based a court will very likely grant a discharge, but the support obligations technically continues until a court removes the support order.
Review your custody agreement and you may need to contact (and pay for) an attorney to quickly review your circumstances to evaluate if emancipation has or will occur prior to 19.
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