How Long is a Parent Obligated to Pay Child Support? 

According to Illinois law, a parent under a child support order, has a legal obligation to continue support payments until the child is eighteen and finished with high school or if still in high school, when the child reaches the age of nineteen, which ever comes first unless otherwise specified under the agreement.  Even in the event of the obligated parents death the support will not be terminated.

Unless otherwise provided in this Act, or as agreed in writing or expressly provided in the judgment, provisions for the support of a child are terminated by emancipation of the child, or if the child has attained the age of 18 and is still attending high school, provisions for the support of the child are terminated upon the date that the child graduates from high school or the date the child attains the age of 19, whichever is earlier, but not by death of a parent.  When a parent obligated to pay support or educational expenses, or both, dies, the amount of support or educational expenses, or both, may be enforced, modified, revoked, or commuted to a lump sum payment, as equity may require, and that determination may be provided for at the time of the dissolution of the marriage or thereafter. IMDMA §510(d).

The right to petition for child support or educational expenses, or both, under section 505 and 513 is not extinguished by the death of a parent.  Upon a petition filed before or after a parent’s death, the court may award sums of money out of the decedent’s estate for the child support or educational expenses, or both, as equity may require.  The time within which a claim may be filed against the estate of a decedent under section 505 and 513 and subsection (d) and this subsection shall be governed by the provisions of the Probate Act of 1975, as a barrable, noncontingent claim.  IMDMA §510(e).

See Also:

How Does Standard of Living Influence Support? 

Expenses Covering Education, Physical Needs and Emotional Needs 

Medical Coverage Factored into Support 

Defining Parent’s Financial Resources & How They Factor into Support