Child support obligations generally terminate, as provided by the child support order from the court, when the child reaches the age of majority (18 in most states). If a parent is obligated to pay child support and the child becomes emancipated before reaching the age of majority in the state (usually 18), the parent may no longer have to pay child support. But the child support obligation in this circumstance does not terminate automatically, and the parent generally must seek an order terminating the support obligation from the court that issued the child support order. And if the child has special needs (health care, living, education), the parent may be required to pay child support even after the child reaches the age of majority or is emancipated.

In Alabama, child support obligations typically end when the child reaches the age of majority, which is 19 years old, rather than 18 as it is in most states. However, if a child becomes emancipated before reaching the age of majority, the parent's obligation to pay child support does not automatically cease. The parent must petition the court that issued the original child support order to have the obligation terminated. Additionally, if the child has special needs, the court may order the continuation of support past the age of majority. This could include support for healthcare, living expenses, or education. It is important for parents to understand that changes to child support obligations are not automatic and require legal action through the courts.