Can a father stop paying support when his minor has a baby?

Question:

I’m 16 and pregnant, and my baby is due in May. My father says he can stop paying child support when my child is born. Is that true? Can a father stop paying child support if his minor daughter has a baby?
 

 
Answer:

Each state has different provisions which control child support.  I do not practice in Missouri so I cannot tell you whether there is a statute which terminates child support upon the birth of a child.  You need to contact an attorney licensed in Missouri, Cordell & Cordell has many attorneys licensed and located in Missouri who would be happy to help.

Unless there is a statute to the contrary, your father must continue to pay support pursuant to the terms of the original Order for Support.  You are still a child and although he is not responsible for supporting your child, he is responsible for supporting you. Are you able to get a copy of that original Order?  The Order likely required him to pay until you are 18 years of age or 19, so long as you are pursuing a high school diploma.  There may be a state statute which requires him to pay until that time as well.

 

 

 

Erica Christian is an Associate Attorney in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, office of Cordell & Cordell, P.C. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association, the Family Law Section and the Children’s Law Section.