Child Support in District of Columbia
State-specific overview · Family Law
DC calculates child support using income shares model and requires payments until age 18, or 19 if still in high school.
How District of Columbia treats Child Support
The District of Columbia applies a combined parental income model to determine child support obligations, with statutory guidelines that consider both parents' incomes and custody arrangements. Child support generally continues until the child reaches 18 years old, or until age 19 if the child remains enrolled full-time in high school. DC courts may also order support for college expenses in some cases. The District enforces child support through wage garnishment, tax intercept, and other collection mechanisms, with interest accruing on unpaid amounts.
The general definition of Child Support
Court-ordered payments from one parent to the other for a child's living expenses.
Child support is money that a court requires one parent to pay to the other parent (or guardian) to help cover the child's expenses like food, housing, education, and healthcare. The amount is usually calculated using state guidelines that consider both parents' incomes, the number of children, and custody arrangements. Child support continues until the child reaches the age of majority, typically 18 or 21 depending on the state. It's a legal obligation separate from custody decisions.
Read the full Child Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in District of Columbia.