Sometimes it is very clear when child support ends and other times it is not, but you do need to go to court or have the court change the child support order. There can be reasons why you would ask for this to occur if the child stops living with a parent who receives child support if the child starts living with a parent who pays child support, and if the child is no longer financially dependent on either parent or is considered emancipated.

In Massachusetts, child support would go until at least the age of 18. Sometimes it can be reduced even if the child is not emancipated after they reach the age of 18 and graduate high school.  The court can order payments to continue if a child lives with the parent and is principally dependent on that parent for support up until the age of 21.  The court can also or college, support up until the age of 23 if the child is enrolled as a full-time student in a college, a university, or a post-secondary education program.

It is important though, not to assume and to look at the facts and determine whether or not you need to go to court to have it terminated and/or through the Department of Revenue.