Until What Age Is Child Support Paid

The child support obligation, whether established by agreement or court ruling, generally applies until the child reaches the age of 18. However, in certain cases the support obligation may continue beyond age 18, primarily during compulsory military service or national service, usually at a reduced amount.

Table of Contents:

• The legal framework of child support in Israel
• Until what age is child support paid
• Child support up to age 6
• Shared burden for children aged 6–18
• Children over the age of 18
• Exceptional cases — a child with a disability or special needs
• The child's best interests — even after the parents' divorce
• Why is it important to consult a family law attorney?

The legal framework of child support in Israel

Every parent in Israel is obligated to provide for the needs of their minor children, and this obligation is not cancelled when the family unit breaks down — and therefore a child support payment obligation may arise.

Child support payments in Israel are anchored in the Family Law Amendment (Maintenance) Law, 5719–1959. According to the law, the determination of child support is made in accordance with personal law — that is, religious law. This means that child support for Jews is determined according to Jewish law (Halacha), for Muslims according to Sharia law, and in the case of a parent with no religious affiliation, child support is determined according to civil law.

Jewish law provides that the primary and central obligation to pay child support rests on the father, and only in certain cases will the mother bear the payment. Child support is divided into two main components:

• The child's essential needs — food, clothing, education, medical needs, and housing.
• Needs under the law of charity — non-essential expenses including extracurricular activities, day care, entertainment, trips, vacations, and more.

In accordance with Jewish law, the father is obligated to cover the child's essential needs, while needs under the law of charity are imposed on both parents, in proportion to their respective disposable income.

Until what age is child support paid

We all know that our children's needs change over the years. Both the law and Jewish law are aware of these changes, and accordingly there is a basic division of the child's life stages, with the level of child support the parent must pay adjusted accordingly.

The way child support is calculated has changed in the past decade in light of the ruling in case 919/15 issued by the Supreme Court, which sought to create equality between the parties in terms of custody time and child support payments while taking into account the financial situation of the couple.

Child support up to age 6

From birth to age 6, there is an absolute child support obligation on the father, regardless of his financial capacity. This determination is based on the principles of Jewish law but has also been reinforced by Supreme Court rulings. Nevertheless, in recent years courts have tended to take into account custody time and wage gaps between the parties and do not impose an absolute support obligation on the father.

Shared burden for children aged 6–18

According to the Supreme Court ruling, both parents must bear child support costs, taking into account custody time and income gaps.

Child support for children over age 18

In principle, the obligation to pay child support ends when the child reaches the age of 18, at which point they are no longer considered a minor. However, the realities of life in Israel and the financial dependence of children on their parents beyond age 18 have led to many cases in which child support is paid until age 21, even after the children become adults.

The main reason for this is that many young people in Israel enlist at age 18 for compulsory military service or choose national service, during which period they are still financially dependent on their parents.

However, at this stage of the child's life the support payments are generally reduced to approximately one third of the amount paid until the child reached age 18.

Exceptional cases — a child with a disability or special needs

In cases where an adult child is unable to support themselves due to a disability or special need, it is possible under appropriate circumstances to continue determining a support obligation beyond age 18.

In such cases, if there is no agreement between the parents, the court will examine the child's level of dependence on their parents, their earning potential, and the allowances they receive from the state. Based on this data, a child support obligation will be set for the child, even beyond age 18. The purpose of child support is to ensure that the child's needs are met and to guarantee their quality of life at older ages as well.

The child's best interests — even after the parents' divorce

The child support payment obligation is part of the parents' commitment to their children in cases where the family unit breaks down. It is the child's right (and the parents' obligation) to receive the care and upbringing they require despite their parents' divorce. Even though divorce is a complex matter, everything must be viewed and examined in accordance with the best interests of the shared children. The determination of the child support amount is also made in accordance with the child's best interests — addressing their needs, what they require and what is necessary for them, whether in their early years or thereafter, even beyond age 18.

Why is it important to consult a family law attorney?

Although the basic rules for child support payments may appear straightforward, the legal reality on the ground is complex and highly dynamic. Each case is examined on its own merits according to a long list of variables — from income gaps and division of custody time to the unique needs of the children. Guidance from an expert family law attorney enables the development of a precise legal strategy that ensures your rights are fully exercised while safeguarding the children's best interests over the years. A senior and experienced attorney will know how to navigate correctly between the different courts (the family court versus the rabbinical court), incorporate the most up-to-date rulings, and prevent procedural or substantive errors that could lead to serious and long-lasting financial consequences.

The information in this article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice by a child support specialist attorney, a legal opinion, or a substitute for professional guidance. Before making any decisions or taking any steps, it is recommended to consult an attorney specialising in family law for an individual examination of the case and personalised advice.