Maintenance for a child who has reached the age of majority
Verified 11 May 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You are separated and the child you have in common has become an adult. What is the impact on child support? We give you the information you need to know.
Video: what you need to know about the subject
Vidéo - Do you still have to pay child support to your child who has reached the age of majority?
*Have you already paid your college registration fee?
*No... I'm out of money this month
*Well you can always ask your mother!
*Well no, I just turned 18
My dad's gonna stop paying child support
Does child support cease at the age of 18?
No, child support does not automatically cease at the age of majority. Parents remain obliged to maintain their adult child as long as the child does not meet his or her own needs. Child support therefore remains payable as long as the child is in education, training or actively seeking work. In principle, parental agreements and court decisions specify this point. In the event of a conflict, the parents could refer the matter to the family judge. This is the case, for example, if one of the parents considers that maintenance is no longer due or that it should be reduced because the young adult receives income in the context of work-study training or student employment. Finally, maintenance is not payable indefinitely, it ceases when the child is financially self-sufficient.
Reminder of key points
· Maintenance may continue to be paid at the age of 18
· It remains due as long as the adult is studying, training or looking for work
· In the event of a conflict, the parents may refer the matter to the judge
· The pension ceases when the child is financially self-sufficient
Maintenance, fixed by the judge or in an agreement, is due as long as the adult child is not financially autonomous, that is to say, as long as he cannot support himself.
Sometimes the court decision, the parental agreement or the divorce agreement indicates the conditions under which the pension is no longer due.
The parent creditor of maintenance must regularly provide the other parent with proof that the child is not yet independent. The documents must demonstrate that the child continues his studies (certificate of education), looking for a job (registration at France Travail), undergoes training etc.
Alternating studies do not necessarily justify the cessation of maintenance.
If parents meet a disagreement, one of them must seize the Family Court Judge (Jaf). The judge will decide whether the pension is still due.
The Jaf can be seized online or via a form to be sent to the court:
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By filling out a form
Application to the family court judge (parental authority, access rights, maintenance, etc.)
Once completed, the form is to be sent or filed with the court of the place where the creditor parent resides.
Who shall I contact
The lawyer is not mandatory for this procedure.
FYI
The parent debtor shall continue to pay maintenance until the decision of the Jaf.
Under certain conditions, maintenance may be paid by the debtor parent to his or her adult child.
Maintenance may be paid directly to the child of full age when he or she is independent, but not financially self-sufficient. This is the case of a child who has left the family home to work or study in another city.
Example :
An adult child continues his studies in Metz while his main residence is in Lyon. He is a tenant of his dwelling and takes care of his expenses. Child support can be paid directly to them so they can manage their expenses without having to regularly ask the parent who receives it for money.
If the decision or agreement does not provide for payment directly to the child of full age, the debtor parent must obtain the agreement of the other parent or the permission of the Jaf: titleContent to pay her the pension directly. It cannot decide alone to pay maintenance directly to the child who has reached the age of majority.
In case of agreement, the child's parents may write a parental agreement.
This document indicates the identity of the parents and the child, the amount to be paid, the method of calculating the annual revaluation, the date of payment and the method of payment (check, transfer, etc.).
To give enforceability to this convention, it is necessary that the parents ask for approval by a Jaf.
In case of disagreement, the debtor parent may apply to the Jaf for authorization to pay the pension to the child of full age.
The request can be made online or via a form to be sent to the court:
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Via a form
Application to the family court judge (parental authority, access rights, maintenance, etc.)
Proceedings must be initiated in the court of law on which the parent's domicile depends creditor.
Who shall I contact
Proceedings must be initiated in the court of law on which the parent's domicile depends creditor.
The lawyer is not mandatory for this procedure.
The parent who has primary care of the child, but who no longer receives maintenance, remains the creditor parent. That is why it is up to him to set up a procedure in case of non-payment of maintenance to the adult child. In this situation, it can also lodge a complaint for abandonment of family.
Yes, because the maintenance obligation parents to their children is no age limit. The application for support may be made by the child of full age or by the parent who alone assumes responsibility for them.
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By the parent
The parent whose the adult child is financially dependent on himand who bears the sole responsibility for it may claim maintenance from the other parent.
He mustprove that the child is in need, that it does not have financial autonomy. This is particularly the case if the child has no income (student or unemployed) or if he has insufficient income (temporary, part-time, work-study contract...).
The adult child must justify his situation to the parent from whom maintenance is requested. These documents must indicate that he is continuing his studies (certificate of education), looking for a job or taking training.
The parent can apply for child support amicably to the other parent. In case of denial, he can make a application to court by entering the Jaf: titleContent.
The effects of adoption on maintenance are different depending on the form of adoption (simple or plenary).
In case of plenary adoption the parents of origin have no maintenance obligation towards their biological child unless it is an adoption by the spouse, partner of Civil partnerships: titleContent or cohabiting partner. In this case, the last parent of origin remains bound by the maintenance obligation.
In case of simple adoptionHowever, the parent of origin may be asked to provide support if the adoptive parent is unable to do so. It is said that the obligation to support the parent of origin is subsidiary.
In case adoption (single or full) of the child of the Civil partnership, partner or common-law partner, each member of the couple may apply to the other for maintenance.
In case full adoption of your child by your spouse, Civil partnership partner or common-law partnerHowever, you cannot claim support from the other biological parent, if there is one.
In case the simple adoption of your child by your spouse, Civil partnership partner or common-law partnerHowever, you must first apply to the adoptive parent for child support. If you can't get it you can then ask the parent of origin.
Amicable application for maintenance
The parent who has the care of the adult child may request the amicable settlement of maintenance by addressing the other parent directly. It can do so, for example, in a mail inviting the other parent to reach an agreement.
One family mediator can help them reach that agreement.
In case of agreement, the parents can decide on the form and conditions of payment of this maintenance obligation.
It is recommended to write a parental agreement which must be dated and signed.
This convention may be approved by the Jaf to give him enforceability.
Who shall I contact
If the amicable approach fails, the matter must be referred to the judge.
Application for maintenance in court
The parent who is primarily responsible for the child of full age may apply for maintenance by applying to the Jaf.
The request can be made online:
Application to the online Family Court Judge
The application for support can also be made using a form:
Application to the family court judge (parental authority, access rights, maintenance, etc.)
The lawyer is not mandatory for this procedure.
FYI
Before any proceedings before the Jaf, it is strongly recommended to attempt conciliation with the other parent.
If you do not make this attempt at amicable resolution, the Jaf may propose a measure of mediation.
The application must be submitted to the court of law responsible for the domicile of the parent who is primarily responsible for the adult child.
Who shall I contact
FYI
Married parents who separate and commence divorce proceedings will determine the maintenance of the adult child in the divorce proceedings.
By the adult child
An adult child may claim child support from his parents or any of them, whether they are separated or not.
He must being in need, without financial autonomy, i.e. doesn't come to insure its basic needs (housing, food, care, current expenses...). This is particularly the case if it has no income (student, or unemployed) or if he has insufficient income to meet his needs (temporary, part-time, work-study contract, etc.).
He must prove that it does not have sufficient resources to meet its essential expenses by justifying its income and expenses.
The child of full age can apply amicable support payments to his parents or one of them. In case of denial, he may apply to the courts by referring the matter to the Jaf: titleContent.
The effects of adoption on maintenance are different depending on the form of adoption (simple or plenary).
In case of plenary adoption, the parents of origin have no maintenance obligation towards their biological child unless it is an adoption by the spouse, the partner of Civil partnerships: titleContent or the cohabiting partner. In this case, the Civil partnership, partner or common-law partner, parent of origin, remains bound by the maintenance obligation.
In case of simple adoptionHowever, the parent of origin may be asked to provide support if the adoptive parent is unable to do so. It is said that the obligation to support the parent of origin is subsidiary.
In case of adoption (single or full) by the spouse, Civil partnership partner or common-law partner from your parent of origin, you can claim child support from this couple of parents or from only one of them.
In case of full adoption by the spouse, Civil partnership partner or common-law partner from one of your original parents, you cannot claim child support from your other biological parent, if there is one.
In case of simple adoption by the Civil partnership, partner or common-law partner from your parent of origin, you must first claim child support from this couple of parents. If you can't get it, you can claim the pension from your other parent.
Amicable application for maintenance
The child of full age may apply for child support directly to his or her parents or to one of them.
This attempt can be made, for example, by addressing a mail inviting his or her parents to reach an amicable agreement.
One family mediator can help them reach that agreement.
In case okay, the adult and his or her parent(s) agree on the form and conditions of fulfillment of this maintenance obligation.
It is recommended to write a convention which must be dated and signed.
This convention may be approved by the Jaf: titleContent to give it to him enforceability.
Application for maintenance in court
The child of full age may apply for maintenance by applying to the Family Court Judge (Jaf).
Before any proceedings before the Jaf, a amicable attempt is highly recommended.
If it has not been attempted, the Jaf may propose mediation.
The request can be made online:
Application for Maintenance - Referral to the Family Court
The request for maintenance obligation in Jaf can also be made using a form:
Application for Maintenance - Referral to the Family Court
The lawyer is not mandatory for this procedure.
Please note
Only the parent who proves that he is unable to pay this maintenance obligation can apply for exemption. For example, if the parent receives only the active solidarity income (SSA).
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Maintenance due to the child, even after the age of majority
Maintenance paid directly to the adult child
Maintenance obligation
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