When is a child considered emancipated for child support purposes / how long is child support required to be paid?

The MA Statute that dictates how long child support must be paid is M.G.L.A. c. 208, §28.
Most people understand that they are required to pay child support for a child who is under the
age of 18, or still in high school, whichever last occurs. The fact is, however, that c. 208, §28,
allows the Court to make appropriate orders of support, including payment of educational
expenses for any child who has reached the age of 18, but has not reached the age of 21, so long
as that child is living with a parent and relies on that parent for the majority of their financial
maintenance. The statute even allows the Court to make appropriate orders of support for a
child who is over the age of 21, but under the age of 23, if that child is enrolled in an educational
program, so long as the child is living with a parent and still principally dependent upon that
parent for financial maintenance. Living in a college dormitory, or an off campus apartment
while enrolled in college, however, does not mean that the child is not still living with a parent
and principally dependent on that parent for financial maintenance. In either event, the outside
date for child support is 23; such that even if the child is still attending college and principally
dependent on a parent with whom they are living, child support does not customarily extend
beyond that age.

There are a few other events that can trigger the end of child support, including the child
obtaining full time employment; the marriage of the child; or the child’s entry into full-time
military service. Any of these events results in the immediate termination of a child support
obligation. In order to terminate the Order, however, you will need to file a Complaint for
Modification with the proper Court to allege the emancipation of the child and seek a termination of the obligation to pay support.