Cal. Codes » Family Code / DIVISION 9. SUPPORT / PART 2. CHILD SUPPORT / CHAPTER 1. Duty of Parent to Support Child / ARTICLE 1. Support of Minor Child
California Codes

Cal. Family Code § 3901 (2026)

Support of Minor Child

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a)(1)The duty of support imposed by Section 3900 continues as to an unmarried child who has attained 18 years of age, is a full-time high school student, unless excused pursuant to paragraph (2), and who is not self-supporting, until the time the child completes the 12th grade or attains 19 years of age, whichever occurs first.

(2)A child is excused from the requirement to be a full-time high school student for purposes of paragraph (1) if the child has a medical condition documented by a physician that prevents full-time school attendance.

(b)This section does not limit a parent’s ability to agree to provide additional support or the court’s power to inquire whether an agreement to provide additional support has been made.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1996–2023 · leading case: In Re Marriage of Drake, 53 Cal. App. 4th 1139 (Cal. Ct. App. 1997).
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In Re Marriage of Drake, 53 Cal. App. 4th 1139 (Cal. Ct. App. 1997). “Furthermore, Family Code section 3901 expressly states that the duty imposed under section 3900 continues with respect to certain children who have attained the age of 18 (see Fam.”
Fluharty v. Fluharty, 59 Cal. App. 4th 484 (Cal. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “In fact, plaintiff testified in deposition he went to defendant's home after the phone call out of "curiosity," rather than to save his father's life.”
Nelson v. Halley, 827 So. 2d 42 (Miss. Ct. App. 2002). “Cal. Family Code § 3901 (2001). There was objection here, not consent.”
Eccleston v. Bankosky, 780 N.E.2d 1266 (Mass. 2003). “Contrast Cal. Family Code § 3901 (a) (Deering 1994) (ending duty of support to unmarried child of divorced parents no later than first of child’s attaining nineteen years of age or completing twelfth grade).”
Goetsch v. Goetsch, 66 So. 3d 788 (Ala. Civ. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “See Cal. Fam.Code § 3901. The record contains no evidence indicating that the parents voluntarily agreed that the father would pay for Chris's postsecondary educational expenses after he attained the age of 18.”
Connolly v. Connolly (In re Connolly), 228 Cal. Rptr. 3d 890 (Cal. Ct. App. 2018). “The California Court reduced Joseph's child support obligation to $1,023 a month, reflecting that the older son had reached age 18 and presumably finished high school ( Fam. Code, § 3901, subd. (a) ), and also reduced Joseph's spousal support obligation to $372 a month.”
In Re Marriage of Serna, 102 Cal. Rptr. 2d 188 (Cal. Ct. App. 2000). “”); Family Code section 3901, subdivision (a) then *484 provides for its termination (“The duty of support imposed by Section 3900 continues as to an unmarried child who has attained the age of 18 years, is a full-time high school student, and who is not self-supporting, until…”
Jaycee B. v. Superior Court, 42 Cal. App. 4th 718 (Cal. Ct. App. 1996). “”]; Fam. Code, § 3901 [defining duration of duty of support imposed by § 3900]; Fam.”
Cohen v. Cohen, 25 N.E.3d 840 (Mass. 2015). “5 has been repealed, essentially the same language appears in Cal. Fam. Code § 3901 (West 2013). 17 An order registered in the Commonwealth that issued in another State “is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of…”
In re Marriage of Connolly, No. C080256 (Cal. Ct. App. Feb. 9, 2018). “The California Court reduced Joseph’s child support obligation to $1,023 a month, reflecting that the older son had reached age 18 and presumably finished high school (Fam. Code, § 3901, subd. (a)), and also reduced Joseph’s spousal support obligation to $372 a month.”
Marriage of Connolly, No. C080256M (Cal. Ct. App. Mar. 12, 2018). “The California Court reduced Joseph’s child support obligation to $1,023 a month, reflecting that the older son had reached age 18 and presumably finished high school (Fam. Code, § 3901, subd. (a)), and also reduced Joseph’s spousal support obligation to $372 a month.”
Christine Saavedra Vs. John Saavedra (fm-13-2060-11, Monmouth Cnty. & Statewide), No. A-2446-18T1 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Mar. 6, 2020). “See Cal. Fam. Code § 3901 (a)(1). Plaintiff did not appeal this order, which became "final" in October 2015.”
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