Child Support

Generally, a child support order lasts until the minor turns 18. However, if your child is enrolled in and attending high school and still living with you when they turn 18, you will continue to get child support until whichever of these events happens first:

1. your child graduates from high school (in which case the order lasts until the end of the month in which they graduate); or
2. your child turns 19.¹

To continue child support until your child’s graduation, you may need to file a declaration with the district child support agency. This declaration should state that your child will still be in high school at the time of their 18th birthday, the name of their school, and the expected graduation date. There is no fee to file this affidavit.²

The other parent may file a motion asking the judge to end support payments if your child is over the age of 18, is no longer in school, or is not living with you. The judge will then hold a hearing to determine if child support is still owed. However, if your child is no longer in school or is not living with you, you can file a declaration with the child support agency confirming this. In this case, the judge can order to end child support payments without the hearing.³ 

¹ N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-08.2(1)
² N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-08.2(3)
³ N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-08.2(4)