Most parents understand that child support typically ends when their child reaches age 18 or graduates from high school. However, Illinois law has two situations where parents may be required to support adult children. These include college expenses and children with disabilities. These payments are different from traditional child support and have different requirements. They can last for longer or shorter than normal child support.
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act deals with these types of adult support separately. There are also different standards for when courts will order them. As of September 2025, Illinois is one of the few states that can tell parents to pay for college expenses for their adult children. Our Wheaton child support attorneys can help you learn more.