How long child support lasts in Alabama (2026)
Child support in Alabama runs until the child turns 19, the age of majority set by Code of Alabama § 26-1-1. Since the Alabama Supreme Court's decision in Ex parte Christopher in 2013, a court cannot order a parent to pay educational support for a child over 19.
When does child support end in Alabama?
When the child turns 19. Code of Alabama § 26-1-1 sets the age of majority at 19: at that age a person is relieved of the disabilities of minority. Support ordered for a minor child runs until then.
Does it stop at 18 when Social Security stops?
No. The Rule 32 Committee Comments give the example of a child receiving a Social Security payment based on the paying parent’s record that ends at 18: the court-ordered child support stays in effect until the child reaches the age of majority.
Does child support cover college in Alabama?
Not by court order after 19. In Ex parte Christopher, decided on 4 October 2013, the Alabama Supreme Court held that the divorce statute (§ 30-3-1) does not authorize a court to require a parent to pay educational support for a child over 19, and overruled Ex parte Bayliss (1989), which had allowed it. The court applied that holding to cases still on appeal, as Ex parte Duerr (2015) explains.
Before 19, college costs are listed in Rule 32(A)(1)(c) among the reasons a court may consider for deviating from the guideline.
Does the amount change as children grow up?
The guideline does not change with a child’s age. It does change with the number of children, which is why a modification may follow when an older child turns 19. For one child against two, with the same incomes:
| Other parent's income a month | 1 child | 2 children |
|---|---|---|
| $4,000 | $514.00 | $760.00 |
| $6,000 | $693.00 | $1,020.00 |
| $8,000 | $863.00 | $1,260.00 |
See changing an order.
What this guide does not cover
Ending support before 19, support for an adult child with a disability, and arrears that remain after support ends are not covered. The figures are estimates, not legal advice.
Run your own numbers
This guide's example: in Alabama, 1 child; the parent the children live with earns $4,000 a month and the other parent $6,000, before tax; 0 days a year with the other parent. The guideline amount is $693.00 a month. Change any number in the calculator and every step of the formula updates.
Open this family in the Alabama calculatorQuestions
What age does child support end in Alabama?
At 19, the age of majority under Code of Alabama § 26-1-1.
Does child support continue through college in Alabama?
Not by court order. In Ex parte Christopher (2013) the Alabama Supreme Court held that the divorce statute does not let a court require a parent to pay educational support for a child over 19. College expenses before 19 can be a reason to deviate from the guideline.
Does child support stop at 18 in Alabama?
No. The obligation runs to 19. The Rule 32 comments give the example of a child's Social Security payment that ends at 18: the court-ordered support stays in effect until the age of majority.
Sources
- Code of Alabama § 26-1-1, Age of majority designated as 19 years
- Ex parte Duerr (Ala. 2015), applying Ex parte Christopher, 145 So. 3d 60 (Ala. 2013), decided 4 October 2013
- Rule 32(A)(1)(c) and the Committee Comments on third-party payments, Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, archived copy
- Figures on this page are computed by the Coparent Math engine with Alabama's rules in force on 3 Nov 2026 unless a table says otherwise, from:
- Rule 32, Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, as amended effective 1 June 2023 (archived copy of the court's PDF), checked 3 Nov 2026
- Supreme Court of Alabama, order of 14 January 2022: Rule 32, Form CS-42 and the Schedule of Basic Child-Support Obligations, effective 1 May 2022 (archived copy), checked 3 Nov 2026
- Supreme Court of Alabama, order of 3 March 2023: shared 50% physical custody and Form CS-42-S, effective 1 June 2023 (archived copy), checked 3 Nov 2026
- Administrative Office of Courts: Schedule of Basic Child-Support Obligations effective 5/1/2022 (archived copy), checked 3 Nov 2026
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In the same hub
- Child support at high incomes in Alabama (2026)Alabama's schedule runs to $30,000 of combined monthly gross income. Above that, Rule 32(C)(1) leaves the amount to the court's discretion, and the Committee Comments say the schedule should not be extrapolated, so there is no guideline formula. The calculator shows the top row of the schedule and marks the result as not a guideline figure.
- How much is child support in Alabama by income? (2026)In Alabama the amount depends on both parents' incomes and the number of children. With the parent the children live with earning $4,000 a month and no extra costs, a parent earning $6,000 pays $693.00 for one child and $1,020.00 for two.
- Child support for more than one child in Alabama (2026)Alabama's schedule gives a figure for 1 to 6 children at each combined income, and each extra child adds less than the one before. With incomes of $4,000 and $6,000, the other parent pays $693.00 for one child, $1,020.00 for two and $1,190.00 for three.
- Self-employment and imputed income for child support in Alabama (2026)For a self-employed parent, Alabama counts gross receipts minus the ordinary and necessary expenses the IRS allows, except accelerated depreciation, investment tax credits and other expenses the court finds inappropriate (Rule 32(B)(3)). Significant business perks that reduce living costs count as income. A court imputes income to a parent it finds voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, and calculates support on it (Rule 32(B)(5)).
- Child support with 50/50 custody in Alabama (2026): Form CS-42-SWhen a court orders shared 50/50 physical custody, Alabama uses Form CS-42-S: the schedule amount is multiplied by 1.5, child care and health insurance are added, each parent owes their income share of the total less their own costs and half the shared amount, and the parent who owes more pays the difference. Anything short of about half the time uses the ordinary worksheet; a court may deviate for extra time, but there is no formula for it.
- Health insurance and child care in Alabama child support (2026)Alabama adds the children's share of the health insurance premium and work related child care to the basic schedule amount, splits the total by income, and credits each parent with what they pay. Child care counts up to the cost of licensed care on the Department of Human Resources' schedule, and health insurance is reasonable in cost up to ten percent of the paying parent's gross income.
The same topic in other states
- How long child support lasts in Florida (2026)Florida orders entered since 1 October 2010 must end child support on the child's 18th birthday, unless the court finds the child, dependent in fact and between 18 and 19, is still in high school and performing in good faith with a reasonable expectation of graduating before 19, or the parents agree to continue support (Fla. Stat. § 61.13(1)(a)1). A court may also require support past 18 for a child whose dependency comes from a mental or physical incapacity that began before 18 (§ 743.07(2)).
- How long child support lasts in Georgia (2026)Child support in Georgia lasts until the child reaches the age of majority, 18, or marries, becomes emancipated or dies, whichever comes first (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(e)). A court may order support for a child who has turned 18 but is still enrolled in and attending secondary school, and has not married or become emancipated, but not past the age of 20.
- How long child support lasts in New York (2026)In New York, parents must support a child until the child turns 21, not 18 (Family Court Act § 413(1)(a)). Support can end earlier if the child is emancipated, for example by marrying, joining the military, or being 18 or older and working full time. For an adult with a developmental disability who lives with and depends on a parent, support can be ordered until 26.
- How long child support lasts in Texas (2026)Texas child support usually lasts until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later (Texas Family Code § 154.001). Support past 18 requires the child to be enrolled in high school and meeting attendance requirements (§ 154.002). It ends earlier if the child marries, is emancipated by court order, dies or starts active military service, and it can continue indefinitely for a child with a disability (§§ 154.006 and 154.302).
- When child support ends in Virginia (2026)Virginia child support generally ends when the child turns 18. It continues past 18 for a child who is a full time high school student, not self supporting, and living in the home of the parent receiving support, until the child turns 19 or graduates from high school, whichever comes first (Code of Virginia § 20-124.2 C). A court can also order support for an adult child with a severe and permanent disability that began before 18, and parents can agree to extend support.