Child Emancipation Counsel in Fishers
Child Support Lawyers for Divorced Parents’ Financial Obligations
Reaching the age of 19 is a momentous occasion for a child and their parents. At this point, the law considers your child to be an adult who is capable of making their own decisions and supporting themselves, or “emancipated.”
If you are a noncustodial parent, emancipation can signal the termination of your obligation to pay child support to the child’s custodial parent. But there are many steps you need to complete before you stop making child support payments. If you are a custodial parent, you must identify your child’s potential needs (such as expenses for college enrollment, job-hunting, etc.) and what role you can play to meet those needs without future child support payments.
Whether you are a custodial parent receiving child support, or a noncustodial parent paying it, our Fishers child support attorneys at Massillamany Jeter & Carson have valuable experience regarding post-emancipation obligations that can help you and your child achieve their goals.
Discuss your concerns with one of our Fishers child support lawyers during a free consultation by calling (317) 434-1490 or contacting us online.
Legal Requirements for Child Emancipation
For purposes of child support, Indiana law considers a child emancipated if the child meets one or more of the following:
- 19 years of age;
- A member of the united states armed services;
- Married;
- Not under the control of either parent or someone else approved by the court; or
- Is at least 18 years old and has not attended a secondary school or a post-secondary educational institute for the prior four months and is or is capable of supporting himself or herself through means of employment.
A court may find that a person 19 years of age should not be emancipated if he or she has some incapacity.
There are certain procedures and processes that need to be followed to terminate a child support obligation when a child is emancipated, including addressing the child support of any other children with the same parent and the termination of the child support account. A parent should never assume a child is emancipated and then stop paying child support without obtaining legal advice from an attorney and a court order on the matter.
Legal Advice You Can Trust
Our family lawyers at Massillamany Jeter & Carson can guide you through child emancipation issues. We bring 150 years of collective experience to your fingertips. By maintaining a small-firm approach to our cases, we provide the personalized attention your case deserves.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our child support lawyers, contact us online or call (317) 434-1490 today.