Financially Supporting Children After High School
Allison Gerli • April 1, 2021
In Missouri under present law, child support continues past high school until the age of 21, as long as the child attends college or a vocational school. In addition, parents can also be obligated to pay college expenses until the age of 21.
Pursuant to Section 452.340.5 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, in order for child support to remain in place and for parents to be responsible for college costs, the following requirements must be met:
- Hours Requirement. Child must enroll at minimum 12 credit hours per semester, not including summer. However, if the child is working at least 15 hours per week during the semester then the requirement that the child be enrolled in 12 credit hours is reduced to nine credit hours.
- Grades Requirement. Child must successfully complete the required number of credit hours, meaning no failing grades in at least 12 hours per semester.
- No Time Off Requirement. Generally, the child must enroll by October 1 following the child’s graduation from high school. This means that if the child takes a semester off before starting college, typically the child support obligation would terminate and could not be reinstated if the child enrolls in college after that point, even if the child is under age 21 when the child enrolls. In addition, the child must be continuously enrolled in school, meaning that child support would terminate and could not be reinstated if the child takes a semester off.
- Document Exchange Requirement. The child must provide transcripts or similar official document to both parents at the beginning of each semester, detailing the child’s enrollment in classes and grades.
The law does provide for exceptions to the grades requirement above, which include, but are not limited to, a physical disability or other diagnosed health problems. The court will also consider other circumstances that may justify a delay in starting school by October 1 after graduation or require a child to take a semester off.
If a child fails to meet the requirements above, the parent paying child support will need to file an Affidavit of Termination of Child Support with the court in order to stop an income withholding order/garnishment that may be in place. Without the consent of the other parent, a copy of the Affidavit will need to be served on the other parent and there will a hearing before the court.
If the child is enrolled in an institution and meeting the requirements above, there is another option under the law that some parents may consider—the parent paying child support or the child may petition the court to have child support payments paid directly to the child instead of paying the other parent.
While the court after a trial may only obligate parents to pay support and college expenses until a child reaches age 21, many parents agree as part of their divorce to pay for expenses past age 21 and these agreements are included as part of the divorce judgment.
We have handled a lot of expensive litigation related to college expenses and post high school support. Consultation in advance may save significant fees. In addition, if you want the other parent to have to continue to pay child support, you must be sure to follow the procedure. You do not want to lose both in attorney’s fees and lost support payments. Please contact the firm if you wish to schedule a consultation.
We are proud to share that our attorneys’ dedication and exceptional work for clients have been recognized by peers. This year, four attorneys from The Center for Family Law are honored in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America . Ann Bauer - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. In addition, Ann was named as "Lawyer of the Year" for her work in collaborative law. This is Ann's 12th consecutive year being recognized. Allison Gerli - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. This is Allison's third consecutive year being recognized. Kristen Sparks - Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list for family law, family law--arbitration & mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. Hallie Van Duren - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. This is Hallie's second year being recognized. About Best Lawyers Since 1983, Best Lawyers has been recognized as one of the most respected guides to legal excellence. Attorneys selected for The Best Lawyers in America are nominated and evaluated by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo a rigorous verification process to ensure they are in current practice and in good standing. About The Center for Family Law Founded in 2013, The Center for Family Law provides comprehensive representation in all areas of family law, with a culture built on partnership with our clients and other professionals. We believe the role of a lawyer is to partner with clients, help them understand their options, and give them the information and confidence they need to make well-informed decisions. To schedule a consultation, click here .
The Center for Family Law is proud to announce that Ann Bauer has once again been named the “Lawyer of the Year” in Collaborative Family Law in St. Louis by Best Lawyers for 2026. Each year, this designation is awarded to only one attorney in each practice area and region, based on outstanding peer feedback—making it a truly exceptional distinction. This marks Ann’s third year being recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" for her work in collaborative divorce, and her 12th year being recognized by Best Lawyers. For 2026, she is listed for her work in family law, family law mediation, and collaborative law. Ann is an active member of the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association and is deeply committed to the collaborative divorce process, valuing the positive and lasting impact it has on her clients and their families. About the Collaborative Divorce Process Collaborative divorce is a respectful legal process that enables couples to resolve all aspects of their divorce—such as property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support—without litigation. Using a team-based approach, which includes attorneys for each spouse, a financial neutral, and a mental health professional, couples work together through negotiation and mediation to reach agreements without the stress and conflict of court. Learn more on the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association website by clicking here . About Best Lawyers Since 1983, Best Lawyers has been recognized as one of the most respected guides to legal excellence. Attorneys selected for The Best Lawyers in America are nominated and evaluated by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo a rigorous verification process to ensure they are in current practice and in good standing. About The Center for Family Law Founded in 2013, The Center for Family Law provides comprehensive representation in all areas of family law, with a culture built on partnership with our clients and other professionals. We believe the role of a lawyer is to partner with clients, help them understand their options, and give them the information and confidence they need to make well-informed decisions. To schedule a consultation, click here .
The Center for Family Law is pleased to announce that Robert Boedeker has joined the firm as of July 2025 as an attorney of counsel. Robert is a 2011 graduate of St. Louis University School of Law. For the past ten years, he has worked at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. in the Lasting Solutions Family Law Program, which he co-managed since 2017. At The Center for Family Law, Robert will continue to practice law on family matters and order of protection cases in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County and Jefferson County. Additionally, he is a certified family law Guardian ad Litem and Mediator, and is looking to resume those areas of practice. “Joining The Center for Family Law allows me to dedicate myself again to just representing clients,” said Robert. “At Legal Services, I was dividing my time between clients and my management duties. I am excited to get back to mediating and representing children’s best interests; at Legal Services, often mediation was inappropriate for clients because of the serious domestic violence they were escaping.” He continued, “I loved my time at Legal Services and the clients and colleagues I worked with. But I am now looking forward to focusing just on the courtroom and mediation work. The attorneys at The Center for Family Law have the same passion for serving clients and a wealth of experience that I am grateful to be able to bring to my cases.” “Working in family law is meaningful and can be life-changing for our clients,” said Robert, “and I am glad to join a firm with the right balance of prioritizing conflict-resolution and defending their clients’ interests when needed.” The Center for Family Law welcomes Robert to the team, knowing his experience and personality make him a good fit to continue the firm’s tradition of collaboration and finding solutions for people in need.