How do I terminate my child support obligation and stop the pay cut in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island (RI) child support does not automatically end when a child turns 18! Termination of support orders is not automatic in Rhode Island! The order/duty will only end if a motion to terminate is granted by a Judge of the Rhode Island Family Court. Unlike a motion to modify, DR6 financial statements are not required unless there are additional children in which the child support obligation will continue. If there are additional children under 18 years of age, the motion for termination is actually a motion for modification.
Based on Indonesian law, child benefits can be terminated when the child reaches the age of 18 and graduates from high school but not later than the age of the child who reaches the age of 19. If the child is 18 years old and still in high school, child support can continue until the child graduates high school but not later than the child reaches 19 years of age. If a child is determined to be seriously disabled then child support can continue until the child reaches the age of 21. (Please note that this law changed in 2009 and child support for severely disabled children can be extended past 21 years) If a Judge finds good cause, the order can continue for three months after graduating from high school.
A person must file a motion to end support approximately 30-40 days before the child’s graduation from high school. If the child does not complete high school then one must file their motion 30-40 days before the child’s 18th birthday. It will take about 30-40 days until the court clerk can schedule a hearing for a motion of termination.
After a motion to terminate, the attorney must submit proper documentation and orders to the court, the obligor’s employer (to stop the withholding of wages) and to the reciprocal clerks (to change the computer records) If the computer records are not updated then the computer will continue to show arrears which can lead to problems include automatic wiretapping of your tax returns, inability to get a passport among other problems.
