Child Support after age 18 or 19

[Freeway Hall]

Been paying child support for 16 years - never misssed a payment. Son has failed a year and now will not graduate at 18 as previously expected, or now, prior to reaching age 19. Will be 18 in 6 months. Ex is taking back to court to extend child support past age 18 (age of majority as listed) to until he graduates, if ever. Since law changed in January, 2011, and number of overnight visits factor in, where do I stand? My attorney says to just pay it and forget it. She will not encourage him to visit and at almost 18 you cannot force visits. No teenager almost 18 years old wants to spend his weekends with his family. We were told even though statute now states age 18, it is still up to the judge. Wish we could get a straight answer from someone. You never quit supporting your kids- age 18, 28 or 58, but where is the line drawn between a moral obligation and a legal obligation? Thank you.

[Attorney Howard Iken]

In your case, support terminates at 18. If you properly cite the statute the judge has no authority to extend past 18. You must also present some sort of evidence that the child cannot graduate before the 19th birthday.