In Oklahoma, a parent generally has to pay child support until the child reaches their 18th birthday. However, there are specific circumstances related to high school graduation that can extend this obligation.
General Rule for Child Support Termination
The most common point for child support to end in Oklahoma is when the child turns 18 years old. This applies if the child has already graduated from high school by that age, or if they are no longer attending high school.
Exceptions for High School Students
If a child has not yet graduated from high school by their 18th birthday, child support obligations may continue. In such cases, support will continue until one of two events occurs, whichever happens first:
- The child graduates from high school.
- The child turns 20 years old.
This means that if a child is still attending high school at 18, support will continue for a period beyond their 18th birthday, but it will definitively cease once they graduate or reach their 20th birthday, even if they haven't graduated yet.
To illustrate, here's a summary of the payment duration:
| Condition | Child Support Ends On |
|---|---|
| Child turns 18 and has graduated high school | 18th Birthday |
| Child turns 18 but has NOT graduated high school | High School Graduation Date OR 20th Birthday (whichever occurs first) |
It's important for parents to understand these rules to ensure compliance with Oklahoma's child support laws.
