Child Maintenance Calculator Age

Under the Child Support Act 1991, child maintenance obligations do not automatically expire on a child's 18th birthday. If a young person remains in full-time non-advanced education (such as sixth form, college, or Level 3 BTEC courses), statutory maintenance continues up until their 20th birthday.

In Scotland, the age ceiling is significantly higher: under Section 1(1) of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985, young adults attending university or in vocational training have an independent statutory right to sue for parental aliment up to age 25.

Child maintenance does not stop on the day exams finish. Instead, liability continues through the summer holiday up to the official statutory terminal date set by Child Benefit regulations:

• • Last day of February: For education ending in December/January
• • 31 May: For education ending in March/April
• • 31 August: For education ending in May/June (standard GCSE & A-Level terminal date)
• • 30 November: For education ending in August/September

One of the most frequent administrative errors occurs when paying parents unilaterally cancel standing orders on a child's 18th birthday while the child remains in college. This generates rapid automated arrears and risks a 20% Collect & Pay penalty fee.

Conversely, if a child leaves college early, enters full-time employment, or starts a paid apprenticeship, the paying parent must immediately notify the CMS with documentary evidence to have the assessment closed as of the exact cessation date.