How Do I Terminate Child Support?

In Colorado, parents must support their children until at least the age of 19, with limited exceptions. If you have children under the age of 19, you will need to modify child support. You can read my blog post here about modifying child support. 

Child support automatically terminates when one of the following conditions is met: 

  • Your child reaches the age of 19 (unless your child is still enrolled in high school, in which case child support continues until the end of the month after your child graduates, up to the age of 22);

  • Your child gets married; or

  • Your child joins the military.

If any of these conditions occur, you do not need to file a Motion with the Court, and you can stop paying your child support without a Court Order. 

If your child is mentally or physically disabled, either parent can request that child support continue after the age of 19. 

If you still have children under the age of 18 that are covered by the child support order, you will need to file a Motion to Modify. For example, let’s say you have three children for whom you are paying child support. If one of your children turns 19, you MUST file a Motion or reach an agreement before you change your child support payment.

If your child is emancipated (such as by getting married or joining the military) before the age of 19, you will need to file a Motion with the Court. You will also need a motion if you are paying child support via an income assignment (wage garnishment). You can find instructions on terminating child support at the Colorado Judicial Branch website. 

In those circumstances, to terminate child support, you will need to do the following: 

  • Complete the Motion to Terminate Child Support and the caption on the Order to Terminate Child Support.

  • File your Motion with the Court.

  • Provide a copy to the other party.

  • Wait for the judge’s ruling and/or attend a hearing if the other party objects to the termination of child support.

Do you have questions about terminating or modifying child support? Katelyn is here to help! 

 

Katelyn Parker