The CSEA investigates whether there is a reason to change or terminate child support payments. The termination of a support order begins at the request of the custodial parent, non custodial parent, or through CSEA reports.
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Current state law stipulates child support continues until a child reaches the age of 18 and continues beyond age 18 so long as the child is attending an accredited high school on a full-time basis. Child support terminates when a child reaches the age of 19 regardless of school enrollment, unless otherwise stated in an original order. Generally, the earliest date for termination of a support order is the month and year in which a child reaches the age of majority.
There are other reasons why a child support order should terminate including:
- Death of the child
- Marriage of the child
- Deportation of the child
- Emancipation of the child
- A change in the legal custody of the child
Other appropriate circumstances may exist as approved by the Court.
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Both parties are responsible to notify the CSEA of any of the above listed criteria that may result in the termination of the support order for a child. The CSEA also works reports that assist in finding cases where termination of a support order may be necessary. If your child will be graduating in May/June please notify the CSEA prior to graduation.
How will I know if a termination is occurring on my case?
Upon completion of the termination investigation, the caseworker will send both parties an Administrative Termination Findings and Recommendation detailing the results of the investigation.
- Each step in the administrative process allows a 14 day objection period for both parties. The process is complete when the final order is filed with the appropriate court. You should anticipate that the process will take 60 days or more.
- Please provide the CSEA with the proof of adoption. This action will result in the termination of the current support obligation, but does not automatically remove or forgive any delinquent child support payments. Adoption records are not open to the public, you must provide all necessary paperwork to the CSEA: the CSEA cannot obtain records from the courts.
- If the party that pays support dies the current support obligation terminates upon the death. Any delinquent payments may be collected from the obligor's estate. The obligee may also want to explore any Social Security death benefits that may be available for the child of the deceased.
- The Administrative Termination Recommendation will address both issues. If arrearages are still owed and the current support order is terminating an arrearage repayment amount will be included within the Recommendation and will be ordered to be paid until the arrearage balance is paid in full. Likewise, if the amount of child support has been overpaid, the amount of the overpayment will be included within the Recommendation. The child support will be terminated early to eliminate the overpayment or a repayment amount will be set to be paid by the Obligee.
- The CSEA utilizes Impound Entries when the last child on the case is terminating. Receipt of an Impound Entry indicates that the case is currently paid-up or overpaid, according to the records of the CSEA, and the continued receipt of child support payments would increase the existing over payment. The goal of the Impound Entry is to avoid the need to order the Obligee to repay any overpaid child support, to balance the child support account, or to lessen the amount of overpaid child support to be repaid.
- Both parties have the right to object to the Administrative Termination Findings and Recommendations. The objection must be submitted to the agency within 14 days from the time-stamped date on the notice. The CSEA will then set the case for an Administrative Hearing before an Administrative Hearing Officer.
- The Administrative Hearing will be heard by the Administrative Hearing Officer. Each party will be given an opportunity to present information as to the status of the child. Each party should bring any evidence to the hearing that is relevant to the case. A CSEA representative may also be present and may testify to any financial audit which was included in the Administrative Termination Recommendation. The Administrative Hearing Officer will then make a decision and an Administrative Hearing Decision will be sent to both parties.