During the Separation Period – Child Support, Part 3
How long do I have to pay child support? In North Carolina, the most common reason for termination of child support is when the child for which the payment is for turns eighteen (18) and graduates from high school. For example, if the child turns 18 during October of their senior year of high school, the child support will not terminate until the month that child graduates from high school the following year.
If child support arrears have accrued during the child’s life before termination, then those arrearages survive until they are paid in full or are forgiven by the party to which they are owed (the payee or the state of North Carolina in most cases). Often, the monthly child support payment that was in place when the child was a minor will remain in place as an “arrears only” payment until the arrears are paid in full or forgiven.
What if I lose my job? What if I go to jail? In North Carolina, child support can be suspended temporarily under certain circumstances. If the payor receives unemployment benefits, the payor’s child support can be taken out of the unemployment check. Additionally, if the payor goes to jail, child support can be temporarily suspended during incarceration. However, this must be done by a motion to suspend child support.
Check out the blog next week for our continued series on the separation period!
If you have any questions about child support, please contact The Law Group to set up a consultation! 910-251-6088