Terminating Child Support in Illinois

 Posted on July 13, 2026 in Child Support

If you and your spouse decide to separate and you have children, then you must collectively make decisions regarding co-parenting and custody. As part of the decision, one of the parents may be responsible for providing child support payments. Under Illinois law, child support is calculated using an "income shares" model, which factors in both parents’ incomes and the allocation of parenting time, plus certain expenses.

At Davi Law Group, our DuPage County, IL family law attorneys represent parents with concerns about child support. Attorney Dion U. Davi has over 20 years of legal experience, with a strong focus throughout his career on domestic relations and family matters. You can trust us to review your case in detail and assist with any modification or enforcement requests as needed.

When is Terminating Child Support Legal in 2026?

Once a court orders child support, the order is in effect until the court or other significant events terminate the order. Scenarios in which child support may be terminated include the following:

• The child is 18 years old. Most often, child support will end on the child’s 18th birthday. The child’s parent can request an extension of support until the child graduates high school or until the child is 19 years old.

• The child is emancipated: An emancipated child is legally considered an adult. This means that child support will be terminated when the child is emancipated. This is true even if the child is under 18 years old. A child is also considered emancipated if the child gets married, joins the military, or moves out of the parents’ home to live independently.

Outside of these specific circumstances, terminating child support is a fairly rare occurrence. Our firm can review your case to help you better understand your options.

Will I Pay Child Support Beyond My Child’s 18th Birthday?

There are certain circumstances under which the supporting parent would be required to continue making non-minor support payments. This may occur if the child has educational expenses for college or technical school. The supporting parent may also be required to pay support if the child is severely disabled and is unable to take care of him or herself. In the event that the child turns 18 before graduating high school, support continues until he or she graduates or turns 19, whichever happens first.

Can I Decide to Stop Paying Child Support?

You cannot simply "opt out" of paying child support as part of a court order. Likewise, a judge is unlikely to honor an informal agreement between parents to stop support. The only way to stop, pause, or even modify your support payments is through a petition with the court.

Some parents think they can withhold child support after a custody violation. However, these are viewed as separate issues by family courts. If you need help enforcing a court order, talk to a family law attorney instead of taking matters into your own hands.

Do Child Support Dues Disappear After the Child Turns 18 in Illinois?

Unpaid child support amounts don’t disappear when the child ages out or becomes emancipated. The parent who is owed money can still pursue collection through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and other enforcement tools available under Illinois law. 

Interest can also accrue on unpaid balances, which means the total owed may continue to grow until the debt is paid in full. Courts do not forgive arrearages simply due to the passage of time. A parent who owes back support should not assume that turning eighteen erases the debt.

Do You Still Have to Pay Child Support if Your Parental Rights Are Terminated?

In most cases, terminating parental rights does end the ongoing obligation to pay future child support. Once a parent's legal rights and responsibilities toward a child are formally severed by a court, that parent is generally no longer required to make future payments, since the legal relationship between parent and child has ended. 

There are exceptions to this rule, though. If parental rights are terminated so that a stepparent or other relative can adopt the child, a court may still require continued support in certain circumstances until the adoption is finalized. Additionally, terminating parental rights does not typically erase any child support arrearages that built up before the termination took effect. 

It is also worth noting that a parent generally cannot request termination of their own rights simply to avoid a support obligation. Courts closely scrutinize these requests and consider the best interests of the child above financial motivations.

When Can You Ask for Reduced Child Support Payments in Illinois?

A parent may ask for a reduction in child support when there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order was entered. Illinois law allows either parent to request a modification, but the parent asking for a change must show that the change is significant enough to justify adjusting the existing support amount. Common reasons for requesting reduced payments include:

• Job loss or a significant decrease in income

• A disability or serious illness affecting the paying parent's ability to work

• A change in the child's needs or living arrangements

• An increase in the other parent's income

• A change in parenting time that affects the support calculation 

To request a modification, a parent must file a petition with the court (750 ILCS 5/510). The parent must also provide documentation showing how circumstances have changed. Parents should continue paying the current support amount while a petition is pending. Missed payments during this time can still result in arrearages. If support goes unpaid for too long, the other parent can take action to enforce it.

Contact Our Wheaton, IL Child Support Attorneys

There are several decisions to make when a couple with children decides to separate, and parental responsibility and child custody are two of the most complex. Supporting spouses may find that their circumstances have changed and they may want to stop paying child support. However, the law requires parents to support their children unless very specific circumstances are met. 

If you are a supporting parent and need help with child support, please contact the skilled DuPage County, IL child support lawyers at Davi Law Group. We can advise you on obligations and help you make the best decision for your family. Please contact us today so that we can discuss your case.