Q: Do I still have to pay child support if my 17 yr old son dropped out of high school and is working full-time?
My son 17 yrs old still lives with his mom but has decided to drop out of high school to work full-time to support his girlfriend who lives with them as well.
A: More information is needed to answer your question. If he is self sufficient and on his own that may be a basis to modify the support. If he is working to support his girlfriend but mother is still supporting him, then support would likely continue. Hopefully he goes back to school soon. Child support can continue after age 19, and up to age 21, if a child is still in high school. That doesn't mean it continues if they haven't graduated but aren't going. You should consult with a child support attorney if you are seeking a more specific analysis.
A: You need to continue paying until/unless a court decides he is emancipated. It may depend on how much he is earning. If he is not self-sufficient, he is not emancipated, especially if he still lives with his mother.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
